BX 



HE 'X: 






wmfi 




-<a 



'C 



~37vu. ^ oe^ 






mv* 



CHRISTIAN ADVICES 



ISSUED BY 



THE YEARLY MEETING OF FRIENDS 



HELD IN 



PHILADELPHIA. 



PHILADELPHIA : 
FOR SALE AT FRIENDS' BOOK-STORE, 

No. 304 ARCH STREET. 
1879. 



fix ;6£>7 
ity? 




pL& _ dJLJv, - ) 271 



The following extracts have been compiled for the 
benefit of the members of our Yearly Meeting, that 
observing the travail of the Church under various con- 
cerns, which in divine wisdom have been communicated 
for its weighty attention, they may be drawn to the 
principle of Life and Light [the Spirit of our Lord 
Jesus Christ] manifested in the mind, which points out 
the path of duty, and can alone preserve therein. 

Our ancient Friends, and their faithful successors to 
the present day, have earnestly laboured to turn the 
attention of all to this pure Spirit; knowing from ex- 
perience that it is the means appointed by God for 
effecting our salvation, and the only foundation of all 
true religion and worship. As by this we have been 
led into divers testimonies which have distinguished us 
from most other professors of the Christian name, we 
fervently desire that all our members may walk by the 
same rule, and mind the same thing ; thus every, one 
filling his place in the body, we shall grow up into Him 
in all things who is the Head, even Christ. 

Meeting for Sufferings, Philadelphia, ) 

Twelfth Month, 16th, 1808. J 

(iii) 



MINUTE OF 1879. 



At a Meeting for Sufferings, held in Philadelphia, the 18th 
day of Fourth month, 1879. 

The Committee appointed at a former meeting to ex- 
amine the minutes of the Yearly Meeting, and select 
therefrom such paragraphs as may advantageously be 
introduced into the Book of Advices, produced some ex- 
tracts from the minutes, which were read and united with. 
The Book Committee are requested to print a new edi- 
tion of the Advices, and insert therein the passages now 
approved. 

Extract from the Minutes. 

(iv) 



INTRODUCTION. 



As it hath pleased the Lord in these latter 
days, by his spirit and power, to gather a people 
to himself; and, releasing thern from the impo- 
sitions and teachings of men, to inspire them 
with degrees of the same universal love and 
good will by which the dispensation of the gos- 
pel was ushered in, these have been engaged to 
meet together for the worship of God in spirit, 
according to the direction of the holy Lawgiver; 
as also for the exercise of a tender care over 
each other, that all may be preserved in unity 
of faith and practice, answerable to the descrip- 
tion which He, the ever-blessed Shepherd, gave 
of his flock; "By this shall all men know that 
ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to an- 
other." John xiii. 35. 

For this important end, and as an exterior 
hedge of preservation to us against the many 

1* (Y) 



VI INTRODUCTION. 

temptations and dangers to which our situa- 
tion in this world exposes us, rules for the 
government of the Society have been made 
and approved from time to time, and now 
form our code of discipline. In the exercise 
whereof it is to be observed, that if any mem- 
ber be found in a conduct subversive of its 
order, or repugnant to the religious principles 
and testimonies which we believe we are in- 
trusted with for the promotion of truth and 
righteousness in the earth, it becomes our indis- 
pensable duty to treat with such in meekness 
and brotherly compassion, without unnecessary 
delay or improper exposure; according to the 
direction of our Lord to his Church : "If thy 
brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell 
him hi- fault, between thee and him alone: if 
lie shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 
But if he will not hear thee, then take with 
thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two 
or three witnesses, every word may be esta- 
blished. And if he shall neglect to hear them, 
tell it unto the church; but if he neglect to 
hear the church, let him be unto thee as an 
heathen-man and a publican." Matthew, chap, 
xviii. 15 ; 16, 17. 



INTRODUCTION. Vll 

This is the extent of the Society's censure 
against irreclaimable offenders, — they are dis- 
owned as members of our religious community; 
which is recommended to be done in such a dis- 
position of mind as may convince them that we 
sincerely desire their recovery and restoration, 
considering ourselves, lest we also be tempted, 
Gal. vi. 1. 

For the more regular and effectual support of 
this order of the Society, beside the usual meet- 
ings for the purpose of Divine worship, others 
are instituted. These meetings have all distinct 
allotments of service ; and as experience show T s 
that when this service is attended to in upright- 
ness and dedication of heart, with a single eye 
to the honour of our holy Head, and the help 
and edification of one another, in the love where- 
with he has loved us, our assemblies are often 
favoured with his aid and direction ; Friends 
are affectionately desired and exhorted to be 
diligent in the attendance of them ; and when 
met, to humbly seek to be clothed with the spirit 
of wisdom and charity : this will divest the mind 
of a dependence on our own strength and abili- 
ties, endue us with patience and condescension 



Vlll INTRODUCTION. 

towards each other; and being preserved in fel- 
lowship agreeably to our Lord's declaration, 
"One is your master, even Christ, and all ye 
are brethren/' a qualification will be experienced 
in our several stations and movements, to build 
up one another in that faith which works by 
love to the purifying of the heart. 

So may we be living members of the Church 
militant on earth, and inhabitants of that city 
which hath foundations, whose maker and 
builder the Lord is ; knowing indeed with ex- 
ceeding joy that great is He, the Holy One of 
Israel, in the midst of her. 



CHRISTIAN ADVICES. 



BOOKS. 



This meeting doth earnestly exhort all pa- 
rents, heads of families, and guardians of minors, 
that they prevent, as much as in them lies, their 
children, and others under their care and tui- 
tion, from having or reading books and papers 
tending to prejudice the profession of the Chris- 
tian religion, to create the least doubt concern- 
ing the authenticity and Divine inspiration of 
the Holy Scriptures, or of those saving truths 
declared in them ; lest their infant and feeble 
minds should be poisoned thereby, and a foun- 
dation laid for the greatest evils. And it is 
earnestly recommended to every member of our 
religious Society, that they discourage and sup- 
press the reading of plays, romances, novels, or 
other pernicious books, which evidently tend to 
strengthen the corrupt propensities of our nature, 

(9) 



10 BOOKS. 

to give the mind false ideas of pleasure and happi- 
ness, and to disincline it to virtuous and praise- 
worthy pursuits. And printers and booksellers, 
in profession with us, are cautioned against 
printing, selling or lending such books; as it is 
a practice so inconsistent with the purity of the 
Christian religion. And Friends are desired to 
be careful in the choice of books in which their 
children and families read, seeing there are 
many under the specious titles of promoting re- 
ligion and morality, which contain sentiments 
repugnant to the truth in Christ Jesus. — 176-i. 

Another great evil of the present time, is the 
flood of light literature pouring almost daily 
from the press. Many of the publications, even 
some that profess to be promotive of morality, 
are of a mixed character, truth and fiction being 
artfully blended together, and an attraction 
thrown around the whole which easily capti- 
vates the unguarded. It is cause of regret to 
observe books of this description upon the tables 
of some of our members; and we fear the peru- 
sal of them, and the taste for this flimsy and 
pernicious reading, are on the increase. We 
believe its tendency is decidedly evil, creating a 



BOOKS. 11 

disrelish for the practical duties and sober reali- 
ties of life, dissipating the energies of the mind, 
and habituating it to a state of excitement which 
is unfavourable to calm and serious reflection. 
It creates, moreover, a distaste for profitable 
reading, and a morbid appetite for that which 
stimulates the imagination, rendering religious 
meditation and solid thoughtfulness irksome and 
repulsive. We affectionately exhort all our 
members not only to avoid such reading them- 
selves, but to discountenance it in others; and 
especially to restrain the children and youth 
from the pernicious effects of this practice, en- 
deavouring to cultivate in their minds a love for 
instructive reading, and such ns w r ill lead to the 
contemplation of heavenly things. 

It is a day in which the spirit of infidelity in 
various delusive forms is captivating many, by 
setting them to investigate the groundless pre- 
tensions of unstable men to some new discovery 
of truth, with which the father of lies is seeking 
to lay waste the unchangeable doctrines of the 
gospel, and faith in the alone means of salvation 
through our Lord Jesus Christ. The prevalent 
opinion that it is a period for inquiry and re- 



12 BOOKS. 

search, and that before any scheme, however 
absurd, is rejected, it ought to be examined; 
may lead young and inexperienced persons to 
venture upon investigations which they may 
think themselves competent to conduct with 
safety, but bv which their minds may be con- 
fused and finally poisoned, to the subversion of 
that settled belief which they had possessed in 
the unalterable principles of the Christian faith, 
and in the reality of the Divine revelation of 
the Holy Spirit in the heart. When such a 
state of unsettlement is once produced in minds 
which had before entertained no doubt respect- 
ing that precious faith, it may be totally out of 
the power of such to restore the tranquillity and 
holy certainty which they had enjoyed. 

The Christian has no right to tamper with 
the truths of Divine revelation, or the peace 
which he has in believing them. He wants no 
other gospel but the gospel of the Lord Jesus 
and his apostles, as testified of in the Holy Scrip- 
tures. He that partaketh of the muddy streams 
of mystery Babylon, will thirst again after some 
other false theory or speculation; but our blessed 
Lord said. "Whosoever drinketh of the water 
that I shall give him shall never thirst ; but the 
water that I shall give him shall be in him a 



BOOKS. 13 

well of water, springing up into everlasting 
life." Here is your place of safety, dear young 
Friends, in a holy reliance upon your omnipotent 
Saviour, who, as you are faithful and chaste to 
him, will give you that saving faith which is 
and ever has been the saint's victory over all 
the delusions and snares of the devil. Avoid 
listening to the sophistry of free-thinkers and 
unbelievers, and refuse to read any of those 
pernicious publications that pretend to set forth 
new discoveries in religion, or in any wise assail 
the doctrines of Christianity, for they are the 
fruits of the clouded imaginations of bewildered 
men, who are deceivers and being deceived. 
"Their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the 
fields of Gomorrah ; their grapes are grapes of 
gall, their clusters are bitter ; their wine is the 
poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps." 
Be frequent in reading the Holy Scriptures, and 
the approved writings of Friends, with minds 
turned to the Lord for the illumination of his 
Holy Spirit, and he will instruct and defend 
you ; and as you persevere in following your 
Saviour, he will give you the bread of life, and 
build you up upon the Rock against which the 
gates of hell cannot prevail. — 1853. 



14 BOOKS. 

The reading of pernicious books is a source 
of much danger, particularly to young persons. 
There are some pretending to advocate the cause 
of religion, which tend to settle the reader in a 
mere belief in the outward coining of Christ, 
yet overlooking his spiritual appearance in the 
heart, and the work of regeneration by his Holy 
Spirit, without which our Lord declared, that 
no man can see the Kingdom of God. The 
we believe, are instrumental in obstructing the 
work of religion, and the spreading of the reign 
of the Prince of Peace. We would affection- 
ately press upon all our members, to keep upon 
their guard against these insidious attempts to 
draw the mind away from submission to the 
washing of regeneration and the renewing of 
the Holy Ghost, which their Saviour would 
effect in their hearts. Dear young Friends, 
love retirement, as at his feet, that you may 
be taught by Him. Frequently read the Holy 
S riptures and the writings of your own Society : 
which would, as you obey the Truth, strengthen 
you to turn your back upon all the seduct: 
of Satan, the corrupting amusements ni the 
day. and the attractions t<> mingle with tfa 
who are enemies to the cross of Christ. Ke- 



BURIALS. 15 

ligion is an inward work ; and all who really 
know it abide with their Lord, both in his suf- 
ferings, and when his banner over them is felt 
to be love. — 1860. 



BURIALS. 



As those who attend Burials may sometimes 
come from for, and be in need of bodily refresh- 
ment, it is earnestly advised that when this is 
really necessary it may be taken in moderation; 
and that Friends be careful to demean them- 
selves with gravity and decency, remembering 
that such seasons especially ought never to be 
perverted into opportunities for intemperance or 
levity. And it is desired that when anything 
unseemly appears, the offenders may be taken 
aside and tenderly admonished, that so every- 
thing tending to lessen the solemnity of such 
occasions may be avoided. 

Advised, that Friends be careful themselves, 
and discourage their children, from attending 
the worship of those not in communion with us, 
and particularly at burials ; seeing that in so 
doing there is a danger either of balking their 



16 BURIALS. 

testimony for the truth and wounding their own 
minds, or giving unnecessary offence to their 
sober neighbours. 

Friends are advised against imitating the vain 
custom of wearing or giving mourning habits, 
and against affixing any monuments of wood or 
stone to graves, and all extravagant expenses 
about the interment of the dead. 

And it is recommended that at all our inter- 
ments, time be allowed for a solemn pause, both 
before and after the corpse is put into the ground. 
—1808. 

This meeting has been brought under much 
concern in consequence of the increased expen- 
siveness and show, which are gradually obtain- 
ing a place among Friends at the time of burials. 
It is painful to observe, in some instances, the 
costliness of the materials, and the unsuitable- 
ness of the attire, in which the lifeless body is 
arrayed, as if to make it a spectacle for behold- 
ers, and to gratify the pride of the living; the 
needless expense in making and lining the cof- 
fin ; the unnecessarily long train of carriages 
which follow 7 it to the place of interment, and 
sometimes the large entertainment afterward ; 



BURIALS. 17 

as though it was intended to make the occasion 
one of vain show, instead of a solemn opportu- 
nity, the effect of which should be to humble 
us, under a sense of our own mortality, and to 
subdue every disposition which could be grati- 
fied by display. We believe these things are 
not only unbecoming so serious an occasion, but 
inconsistent with that Christian simplicity and 
moderation to which we are called ; and we 
would affectionately caution our members against 
them. 

It has also been cause of concern, to observe 
that some of our members, not duly regarding 
the ancient and approved practice of our So- 
ciety, have procured places of interment which 
are not under the control of Friends, and where 
customs are sanctioned which are at variance 
with our well-known testimonies. We appre- 
hend this is opening a door to weakness, and 
preparing the way for departures from those 
salutary restraints which in the wisdom of 
Truth have been placed around our members, 
and which have so evidently tended to preserve 
them in a conformity to our religious principles 
and practices. We would therefore tenderly 
entreat Friends to avoid the entangling effects 



18 BUEIALS. 

consequent upon such a course, and be willing 
to conform to the regulations of the Society in 
this respect. 

The introduction of monuments of wood or 
stone into our grave-yards, has at this time 
claimed renewed attention ; and, agreeably to 
former recommendations, we are again engaged 
to discourage the practice, and request meetings 
to carry into effect, in the spirit of Christian 
love, and as far as they have control of the 
burying-grounds, the advice heretofore given on 
this subject, as contained in the discipline. We 
trust also that all our dear Friends will receive 
the word of tender admonition, and refrain from 
everything which is contrary to our ancient tes- 
timony on this subject. — 1854. 

Our members are tenderly advised and cau- 
tioned against a growing tendency in the pres- 
ent day to conform to the ways and customs 
of the world, in relation to the expensive coffin, 
habiliments and floral decorations bestowed 
upon the perishable body upon the occasion of 
its burial. The desire was expressed, that in 
reference to the two first-named departures 
from simplicity on these solemn occasions, we 



CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 19 

may let our moderation be more fully known 
to all men; and that the other practice in- 
tended or calculated to drown solemn thoughts 
of death and the grave, may be withstood by 
all our members. — 1877. 



CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 

A fervent concern prevailing for the preser- 
vation of our members in a faithful maintenance 
of our religious testimonies, it is desired that all 
may be drawn to deep inward watchfulness 
against every presentation, either for acquiring 
gain by trade and commerce dependent on war, 
or the attainment of worldly honour in accept- 
ing of posts or offices in civil government, which 
often expose to the violation of divers testimo- 
nies, particularly that respecting oaths. — 1808. 

Liberty of conscience being the common right 
of all men, and particularly essential to the well 
being of religious Societies, we hold it ro be in- 
dispensably incumbent upon us to maintain it 
inviolably among ourselves; and therefore ad- 
vise and exhort all in profession with us to de- 



20 CIYIL GOVERNMENT. 

cline the acceptance of any office or station in 
civil government, the duties of which are incon- 
sistent with our religious principles, or in the 
exercise of which they may be, or think them- 
selves to be, under the necessity of exacting of 
their brethren any compliances against which 
we are conscientiously scrupulous. — 1710, 1762. 

It is also the sense and judgment of this meet- 
ing, that Friends ought not in any wise to be 
active or accessary in electing, or promoting to 
be elected, their brethren to such offices or sta- 
tions in civil government, the execution whereof 
tends to lay waste our Christian testimony, or to 
subject their brethren or others to sufferings on 
account of their conscientious scruples. — 1762. 

It is earnestly desired and recommended that 
the members of our religious Society may main- 
tain an inoffensive, circumspect demeanour to- 
wards all men, manifesting in their lives and 
conversation a subjection to the peaceable spirit 
of Christ, which will preserve from giving just 
occasion of offence to any; and from being be- 
trayed into those heats and controversies which 
frequently prevail respecting the policies and 



CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 21 

governments of this world. For as we are called 
to show forth in life and practice our belief that 
the peaceful reign of the Messiah is begun in 
the earth, and will advance to its designed com- 
pletion, when, according to the prophecies of 
Isaiah and Micah, " Nation shall not lift up 
sword against nation, neither shall they learn 
war any more," so we cannot be concerned in 
any combinations of a hostile nature, nor oppose 
those under whose outward government we are 
providentially placed; nor can we unite with or 
encourage such as revile or asperse them ; but, 
remembering that the Lord ruleth over the king- 
doms of men, we should patiently resign ourselves 
to the dispensations of his wisdom and power, and 
seek to be endued .with the spirit of prayer and 
supplication for all men, that we may be per- 
mitted to lead a quiet and peaceable life in all 
godliness and honesty. "For this," as said the 
apostle, "is good and acceptable in the sight of 
God our Saviour." 



22 CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 



CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 

It is desired that Friends may be guarded in 
their conduct at all times and on all occasions, 
that no stumbling-block be laid in the way of 
honest inquirers after truth, nor offence given to 
tender minds under convincement. "Let your 
light/' said Christ, "so shine before men, that 
they may see your good works, and glorify your 
Father which is in heaven." Our moderation 
and prudence, as w r ell as truth and justice, 
should appear in trading and commerce, in 
speech and communication, in eating and drink- 
ing, in habit and furniture, and in all things; 
that, as we profess to be a spiritually-minded 
people, we may manifest by a meek and quiet 
spirit that we are bounded by the cross of Christ, 
and concerned to show forth the excellency of 
that Divine principle, by a conversation every 
way agreeable thereunto. — 1808. 

It is the earnest concern of this meeting, that 
in all our dealings and transactions among men, 



CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 23 

strict justice may be observed, and that no mo- 
tives of pecuniary interest may induce any of 
our members to impose on each other, or on 
others.— 1778, 1834. 

Let your words be few and savoury, observ- 
ing the precept of the apostle, "Let no corrupt 
communication proceed out of your mouth." 
So may your good example, and the gravity and 
circumspection of your conduct and behaviour, 
minister just rebuke to those who know not a 
bridle to their tongues, and who seem not suffi- 
ciently aware, "that in the multitude of words 
there wanteth not sin." 

It is worthy of general remembrance, that no 
affectation of singularity was the cause of a de- 
meanour both civil and religious in our forefa- 
thers, or in the faithful of this day, different in 
many respects from the conduct of those among 
whom we dwell; but they, beholding the vanity, 
unprofitableness, and insincerity of the saluta- 
tions, customs, and fashions of the world, and 
regarding the examples of our blessed Saviour 
and his followers, with the frequent testimonies 
recorded in Holy Writ to the necessity of a self- 
denying life and conversation, together with the 



24 CONDUCT AND CON VERS ATION. 

law and testimony revealed in their hearts, re- 
tained in view the injunction of the apostle, 
Not to be conformed to this world, but to be 
transformed by the renewing of the mind, that 
we may prove what is that good, and accepta- 
ble, and perfect will of God. May an upright- 
ness of heart, as in the sight of God, ever attend 
this simplicity of appearance ; that none, by a 
conduct inconsistent therewith, may furnish oc- 
casion for the testimony to be evilly spoken of 
or despised. 

God, who is the creator of man, and he to 
whom he oweth the dedication both of soul and 
body, is over all to be worshipped and adored, 
and that not only by the spirit, but also with 
the prostration of the body. Now kneeling, 
bowing, and uncovering the head, is the alone 
outward signification of our adoration towards 
God, and therefore it is not lawful to give it 
unto man. He that kneeleth or prostrates him- 
self to man, what doth he more to God ? He 
that boweth and uncovereth his head to the 
creature, what hath he reserved to the Creator? 
Since, therefore, all the duties of the different 
relations under which we may be stated, may 
be performed one to another without those kind 



CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 25 

of bowings, they are therefore no essential part 
of our duty to man, but to God. 

The world, in its degeneracy from God, is as 
much out of the way as to true honour and re- 
spect, as in other things; much of which is as 
the apostle speaks of science. They are honours 
and respects falsely so called, having nothing of 
the nature of true honour and respect in them ; 
but as degenerate men, loving to be honoured, 
first devised them, so pride only loves and seeks 
them. 

Some of the reasons which have engaged us 
to decline the practice of the present customs of 
pulling off the hat, bowing the body or knee, 
and giving people gaudy titles and epithets in 
our salutations and addresses, are, that savour, 
sight, and sense that God, by his light and Spi- 
rit, has given us of the world's apostasy from 
him, and the cause and effects of that great and 
lamentable defection; in the discovery of which 
the sense of our own state came first before us, 
and we were made to see Him whom we had 
pierced, and to mourn for it. Now every word, 
thought, and deed was brought to judgment, the 
root examined, and its tendency considered; and 
by knowing the evil leaven and its evil effects 



26 CONDUCT AND CONVE B S A TIOX. 

in ourselves, we came to have a sense and know- 
ledge of the states of others: the present honours 
and respects of the world became burdensome 
to us; we saw they had no being in paradise; 
that they grew in the night-time, and came from 
an evil root; that they onlv delighted a vain 
and ill mind, and that much pride and folly was 
in them. We honour those that are placed in 
authority over us; our parents, our masters, our 
magistrates, our landlords, one another; yea. all 
men. after God's way. used by holy men and 
women of old time; but we cannot esteem bows, 
titles, and pulling oft" of hats to each other, to 
be real honours, because such like customs have 
been prohibited by God. his Son. and servants 
• in days past. Christ said to the Jews. "How 
can ye believe, that receive honour one of an- 
other, and seek not the honour that cometh from 
God only?" and charged his disciples, u Be not 
ye called Rabbi: for one is your master, even 
Christ, and all ye are brethren. Neither be ye 
called master; but he that is greatest among 
you shall be your servant, and whosoever shall 
exalt himself shall be abased/' These pass 
carry a severe rebuke both to worldly honour in 
general, and to those members and expressions 



CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 27 

of it in particular which, as near as the lan- 
guage of Scripture and customs of that age will 
permit, do distinctly reach and allude to those 
of our own time. 

Our non-conformity to the world in using the 
word "thou" for "you/' when addressing an in- 
dividual, hath the same original as the forego- 
ing. Words, of themselves, are but as so many 
marks set and employed for necessary and in- 
telligible mediums, whereby men may under- 
standingly express their minds and conceptions 
to each other. Though the world be divided 
into many nations, each of which, for the most 
part, has its peculiar language or dialect, yet 
they ever concurred in the same numbers and 
persons, as forming much of the ground of right 
speech. "Thou" and "thee," when speaking to 
one, and "ye" or "you," to more than one, is 
according to plain grammar rule ; and it would 
be impossible to preserve numbers if "you" be 

used to express one. But it is a. most extrava- 
j. 

gant piece of pride in a mortal man to require 
or expect from his fellow-creature a more grate- 
ful language than he is wont to give to Almighty 
God, his Creator, in all his worship to him ; 



28 CONDUCT AND C X VERS ATIOST. 

and since we are persuaded that its original was 
from pride and flattery, we cannot use it. 

And however we may be censured as singular 

bv those loose and airy minds that consider not 

■ ■ 

the true rise and tendency of words and things, 
yet to us. whom God has convinced by his light 
and spirit in our hearts, of the folly and evil of 
such courses, and brought us into a spiritual dis- 
cerning of the nature and ground of the woi 
fashions, they appear to be the fruits of pride 
and flattery; and we dare not continue in such 
vain compliances to earthly minds, lest we offend 
God and burden our own consciences, knowing 
assuredly that for every idle word that men 
speak, they shall give an account in the day of 
judgment. 

Frequent waiting in stillness 'on th L rd for 
renewal of strength, keeps the mind at home in 
its proper place and duty, and out of all un- 
profitable conversation and converse, whether 
amongst those of our own or other pi — ns. 

Much hurt may accrue to the religious mind 
by long and frequent conversation on temporal 
matters, especially by interesting ourselves un- 
necessarily in them : for there is a leaven in 
that propensity which, being Buffered to prevail, 



CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 29 

indisposes and benumbs the soul, and prevents 
its frequent ascendings in living aspirations to- 
wards the Fountain of eternal life. 

Whatever exercises we may meet with on ac- 
count of a faithful testimony to the truth in all 
godliness of conversation, and to the end that 
we may not faint in our minds, let us consider 
the Captain of our salvation, who endured the 
contradiction of sinners, bearing his cross and 
despising the shame, and is set down on the 
right hand of God, where he continually maketh 
intercession for us; that following him, and 
under his banner fighting the good fight of faith, 
we may finally obtain the crown of righteousness 
which fadeth not away. — 1808. 

In viewing the state of our members and 
subordinate meetings, an earnest concern has 
been felt that we should duly estimate and give 
heed to the blessed gospel truth ever held by 
Friends, that Christ is the true light which 
lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 
As this " Light of Christ within" is regarded, 
and its manifestations obeyed, the understand- 
ing will be opened to receive the doctrines of 
the gospel,- and the testimonies springing from 



30 CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 

them, and the obligation will be felt to main- 
tain them in life and conversation. This Divine 
gift brings those who submit to its teachings not 
only to believe the sacred truths declared in 
the Holy Scriptures respecting our Lord and 
Saviour, Jesus Christ, and the means provided 
in the mercy of God for the salvation of men, 
but also gives an insight of the corruption of 
the heart in its unregenerate condition, of man's 
need of a Redeemer, and the purifying bap- 
tisms of the Holy Ghost and fire ; and as it is 
followed, it produces the blessed fruits of right- 
eousness and peace. As the members are in- 
dividually engaged to walk in this Holy light 
they will be brought to see, eye to eye, and 
have " fellowship one with another, and to 
know the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse them 
from all sin." Thus holding " The Head, from 
which all the body by joints and bands having 
nourishment ministered and knit together," we 
would "increase with the increase of God." 
We would be brought willingly and gladly, to 
attend all our meetings for worship, and for the 
transaction of the affairs of the Church ; and 
when in them would be preserved from giving 
way to drowsiness, the frequent occurrence of 



CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 31 

which, in our meetings, continues to be a source 
of much exercise and sorrow, manifesting, as it 
does, spiritual slothfulness. In the language 
of George Fox, we would affectionately exhort 
all to " Take heed of sleeping in meetings, and 
of d ulness. For it is an unsavory thing to see 
one sitting nodding in meeting, and so lose the 
sense of the Lord's presence. It is a shame 
and a sadness both, and it grieve tk the upright 
and watchful that wait upon the Lord, to see 
such tilings." — 1870. 

While the mere natural wisdom and will of 
man have no place in the church of Christ, we 
would tenderly encourage the rigktly concerned 
in our Meetings for Discipline, wko may be 
entrusted with a sentiment on the business be- 
fore such meetings, to be simple, honest and 
faithful in giving expression to it in the fear of 
th§ Lord, and in tke obedience of faith in Him, 
yielding tkemselves up to tke service that may 
be required at their hands. This is the w T ay 
that the talent committed is to be used and 
occupied with, and it is the way to peace and 
enlargement — being faithful in a little, we 
shall be made rulers over more. 



32 CONDUCT AND COXY EB S ATIOX. 

Our Yearly Meeting in 1795. declared its 
judgment in the following minute of advice : 
" We are concerned that the management of 
our Christian discipline, be not committed to 
hands unclean, particularly of such who allow 
undue liberties in their own children and 
families. 'If a man." said the apostle, 'know 
not how to rule his own house, how shall he 
take care of the church of God.' " [1795.] It 
has been a cause of sorrow to observe, that in 
some meetings, those are occasionally appointed 
to stations or employed in services, who make 
no appearance of being Friends, and whose 
manner of life is not in accordance with our dis- 
tinguishing doctrines and testimonies. Herein' 
the precious cause we are called to uphold and 
promote must suffer. — 1S7-4. 



DAYS AND TIMES. 33 



DAYS AND TIMES. 

Advised, that Friends be exemplary in keep- 
ing to our ancient testimony against the super- 
stitious observation of clays; and to the simpli- 
city of truth in calling the days and months by 
Scripture names, and not by those of the 
heathen. 

The children of Israel, the people whom God 
chose out of all the families of the earth to place 
his name among, and to make himself known 
unto, were strictly commanded not only to ab- 
stain from the idolatrous practices of the nations 
in the midst of w r liom they dwelt, but were en- 
joined to be "circumspect in all things that 
the Lord commanded/' and even to " make no 
mention of the names of other gods, neither to 
let it be heard out of their mouth." This in- 
junction was a perpetual command and standing 
ordinance in honour of the one Almighty Being, 
the same yesterday, to-day, and forever, and as 
such ought to be regarded by us, and by all the 



34 DAYS AND TIMES. 

generations of those who with the heart believe, 
as well as with the tongue confess, " that the 
Lord he is God, and that there is none else be- 
sides him;" who hath declared, "I am the Lord, 
that is my name, and my glory will I not give 
to another, neither my praise to graven images." 
Convinced of this everlasting truth, both by the 
testimony of the Scriptures and the manifesta- 
tion of the Holy Spirit, which leads those who 
are faithful to its teachings from everything, 
either in word or deed, that would dishonour 
the truth, our ancient Friends were conscien- 
tiously concerned to refrain from the use of those 
names of months and clays which the heathens 
had given to the idols they worshipped; and 
this concern rested upon them from a firm per- 
suasion that the glorious gospel-day was come 
wherein the Lord was fulfilling his covenant 
with Israel, viz. : "I will take away the names 
of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no 
more be remembered by their name." Consist- 
ently with this testimony, the following account 
of the origin of the names of some of the months 
of the year, and of all the days of the week as 
now commonly used, is recommended to the 
serious consideration of our members. 



DAYS AND TIMES. 35 

1. January was so called from Janus, an an- 
cient king of Italy, whom heathenish supersti- 
tion had deified, to whom a temple was built, 
and this month dedicated. 

2. February was so called from Februa, a 
word denoting purgation by sacrifices; it being 
usual in this month for the priests of the heathen 
god, Pan, to offer sacrifices and perform certain 
rites, conducing, as was supposed, to the cleans- 
ing or purgation of the people. 

3. March was so denominated from Mars, 
feigned to be the god of war; who Romulus, 
founder of the Roman empire, pretended was 
his father. 

4. April is generally supposed to derive its 
name from the Greek appellation of Venus, ah 
imaginary goddess worshipped by the Ro- 
mans. 

5. May is said to have been so called from 
Maia, the mother of Mercurv, another of their 
pretended ethnic deities, to whom in this month 
they paid their devotions. 

6. June is said to take its name from Juno, 
one of the supposed goddesses of the heathen. 

7. July, so called from Julius Caesar, one of 
the Roman emperors, who gave his name to this 



36 DAYS AND TIMES. 

month, which before was called Quintilis, or the 
fifth. 

8. August, so named in honour of Augustus 
Caesar, another of the Roman emperors. This 
month was before called Sextilis, or the sixth.* 

The other four months, namely. Septeml 
October. November, and December, still retain 
their numerical Latin names, which, accord 
to the late regulation of the calendar, will for 
the future be improperly applied. H 
from the continued use of them hither «rell 

from the practice of the Jews before the Bar 
bylonish captivity. v it seemeth highly probable 
that the method of distinguishing the n 
by their numerical order only, was the most an- 
cient as it is the most plain, and rational. 
A- the idolatrous Romans thus gave names 
to several of the months in honour of th< 
tended deities, so the like idolatry of- n S xon 
ancestors induced them to call each day of the 
week by the name of the idol which on that 
they peculiarly worshipped. Ilei 

The fii of the week they called Sunday, 

* Macrob. Saturn. lib. 1. cap. 12. 

f Seet';. Script * fche time of Ezra. 



DAYS AND TIMES. 37 

from their customary adoration of the sun on 
that day. 

The second day of the week they called Mon- 
day, from their worshipping the moon on that 
clay. 

The third day of the week they called Tues- 
day, in honour of one of their idols, called 
Tuisco. 

The fourth day of the week was called Wed- 
nesday, from Woden, another of their idols. 

The fifth day of the week was called Thurs- 
day, from their idol Thor. 

The sixth day of the week was termed Fri- 
day, from Friga, an imaginary goddess by them 
worshipped. 

The seventh day they styled Saturday, as is 
supposed from Saturn, or Seater,. then wor- 
shipped.* 

Ever since we were a people we have had a 
testimony against formal worship, being con- 
vinced by the precepts of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
the testimonies of his apostles, and our own ex- 
perience, that the worship and prayers which 
God accepts, are such only as are produced by 
the influence and assistance of his Holy Spirit. 

* See Yerstegan and Sheringham. 
4 



38 DAYS AND TIMES. 

We cannot, therefore, consistently unite with 
any in the observance of public fasts, feasts, and 
what they term holy clays; or such injunctions 
and forms as are devised in man's will for Di- 
vine worship. The dispensation to which out- 
ward observances were peculiar having long 
since given place to the spiritual dispensation of 
the gospel, we believe the fast we are now called 
to is not the bowing of the head like a bulrush 
for a day, but a universal and continual fasting 
and refraining from everything which has a ten- 
dency to defile the soul, and unfit it for becom- 
ing the temple of the Holy Ghost; according to 
the injunctions of Christ to his primitive disci- 
ples, "If any man will come after me, let him 
deny himself, take up his daily cross, and follow 
me." "Watch ye, therefore, and pray always, that 
ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these 
things that shall come to pass, and to stand be* 
fore the Son of man." That the primitive be- 
lievers saw an end to these shadows of good 
things, bj- coming to Him in whom all figures 
and shadows end, is evident by the words of the 
Apostle Paul: "For Christ," said he, "is the 
end of the law for righteousness to every one 
that believeth." Rom. x. 4. "But now hath he 



DAYS AND TIMES. 39 

obtained a more excellent ministry, by how 
much also he is the Mediator of a better cove- 
nant, which was established upon better pro- 
mises." Heb. viii. 6. "Let no man, therefore, 
judge you in meat or drink, or in respect of a 
holy day, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath 
days, which are a shadow of things to come, but 
the body is of Christ." Col. ii. 16, 17. And the 
same apostle thus expostulated with some who 
it appears had fallen from the true faith in these 
respects: "But now, after that ye have known 
God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye 
again to the weak and beggarly elements, .where- 
unto ye desire again to be in bondage. Ye ob- 
serve days and months, and times and years : I 
am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon 
you labour in vain." Gal. iv. 9-11. 

We are also religiously restrained from shut- 
ting up our doors, windows, and shops upon 
such days as are appointed to desire a blessing 
upon, and success to, the arms of the kingdom 
or commonwealth under which we live ; nor 
can we give thanks, or illuminate the windows 
of our houses, for victories obtained by the effu- 
sion of blood ; for believing that strife and con- 
tention, with everything built thereon, shall 



40 DAYS A XD TIMES. 

come to an end. the continuance of those occa- 
sions must, to the truly Christian mind, be cause 
of deep mourning. — 1S0S. 

As we do not find any ground in Scripture for 
it. we cannot be so superstitious as to believe 
that either the Jewish Sabbath now continues, 
or that the first day of the week is the antitype 
thereof, or the true Christian Sabbath; which 
we believe has a more spiritual sense and signi- 
fication ; and therefore we know no moral obli- 
gation, by the fourth command or elsewhere, to 
keep the first day of the week more than any 
other, or that there is any holiness inherent in 
it. But as we believe the a; and primitive 

Christians did meet on this day to worship God, 
so we, following their example, do the like, and 
forbear working or engaging in our worldly af- 
fairs upon that day. Works of charity or Chris- 
tian benevolence, such as visiting and adminis- 
tering to the sick and afflicted, or occasions of 
unavoidable necessity, may sometimes interfere 
with, or occasion a deviation from, a strict adhe- 
rence to the uses and services to which this day 
is specially appropriated; yet it is our continued 
concern affectionately to recommend to all our 



DAYS AND TIMES. 41 

members, that abstaining from bodily labour on 
that day, they observe and regard it as a day 
which, by the generality of Christians, is pecu- 
liarly set apart for religious retirement, and the 
performance of public worship to Almighty 
God.— 1834. 

Being well assured that the edifying practice 
of frequently collecting our children and fami- 
lies, in order for religious retirement, would be 
promotive of essential benefit, Friends are ex- 
horted to seek after a right qualification, under 
which they may be enabled to maintain it, espe- 
cially in the afternoon of the first day of the 
week, in such places where meetings for public 
worship &re not held at that time ; the due dis- 
charge of which duty, and solidly reading the 
Holy Scriptures and other religious books, with 
a steady, watchful care over our young people, 
to discourage their visiting and rambling about 
on that day, and mixing with unprofitable com- 
pany at this and at other times, would, under 
the Divine blessing, be a means of their preser- 
vation out of many ensnaring temptations to 

which they are liable. — 1834. 
4* 



42 DEFAMATION AXD DETRACTION, 



DEFAMATION AXD DETRACTION. 

Friends are exhorted to maintain always a 
strict watch over themselves and each other 
against the subtle and mischievous spirit of tale- 
bearing and detraction; the manifest tendency 
of which is to lay waste the unity of the body, 
by sowing the seeds of disesteem. strife, and dis- 
cord .anions: brethren and neighbours: as well as 
to unfit those who either propagate or listen to 
evil reports, for being of that service to the per- 
sons reflected upon which they might be, if the 
order prescribed by our blessed Lord to bis 
Church was strictly observed, viz.: "If thy bro- 
ther shall trespass against thee, go and tell him 
his fault between thee and him alone'; if he 
shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 
But if he will not hear thee, then take with 
thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two 
or three witnesses every word may be esta- 
blished ; and if he shall neglect to hear them, 
tell it unto the church ; but if he neglect to 



DEFAMATION AND DETRACTION. 43 

hear the church, let him be unto thee as an 
heathen man and a publican." 

If thou hear a report to the disadvantage of a 
Friend, be careful not to report it again, but go 
to the person of whom the report is, and inquire 
if it be true or not : if it be true, deal with him 
or her according to the doctrine of Christ, Matt, 
xviii. 16, 17 5 but if false, then endeavour as 
much as thou canst to stop such report. 

The preservation of love and unity is a duty 
in every state of religious attainment; and did 
we faithfully observe the great Master's precept 
of doing to others as we would they should do 
to us, the practice w T ould be easy. Detraction 
and enmity would then be destroyed in the 
seed, and that excellent Christian charity, re- 
commended by the apostle, prevail over all. — 
1808. 



44 DISCIPLINE, 



DISCIPLINE, AND MEETINGS FOR 
DISCIPLINE. 

As it consisted with the will of our Heavenly 
Father, after he had called our primitive Friends 
from the various forms of religion to worship 
him in spirit, to lead them into the establishing 
and support of a Christian discipline for the help 
and preservation of the body in a consistency of 
conduct, we exhort all who are concerned in the 
management of the discipline, that they fer- 
vently seek to be clothed with a right mind 
therein, that nothing may be done through rash- 
ness, strife, or vain glory, but all with a single 
eye to the honour of Truth, and the good of in- 
dividuals. 

The more we experience a preparation of 
heart for the exercise of our respective gifts, the 
more amply shall we evince the expression of 
the tongue to be seasoned with that living virtue 
and Divine power which proceed from our holy 
Head, and thus, in conducting the important 



DISCIPLINE. 45 

concerns of society, we shall be enabled to ex- 
ample the beloved youth in a manner which 
will evidence to them, that neither tradition nor 
a mere outward education can fitly prepare them 
for successors in the Church. Upon this subject 
we are the more solicitous, as we believe many 
who were evidently under the forming hand, 
have been suddenly laid hold of, and introduced 
into service before that preparation of heart 
hath been sufficiently experienced, which leads 
to a reliance upon Divine direction, and redeems 
from a confidence in the natural understanding: 
on the other hand we believe, there has in many 
places been a want of care in those who are 
acceptably active in the discipline, rightly to 
distinguish, and seasonably to bring into action, 
the talents bestowed upon some in the early 
stage of life; it being truly desirable, that by a 
just discrimination of times and seasons, and of 
the qualifications bestow r ed, every gift may be 
rightly exercised, and a succession of useful 
'members preserved in every rank in the Church. 
Let an inquiry be raised in the minds of all 
the members of the Church, who have had any 
part of the Lord's work laid upon them, how they 
have acquitted themselves in his sight; foras- 



46 DISCIPLINE. 

much as a day comes on apace, in which an ac- 
count of our stewardship will be required at our 
hands. 

If the awful sense of rendering an account of 
our trust, and of the importance of being clear from 
the blood of each other were enough impressed 
upon all minds, the right exercise of our Chris- 
tian discipline would be a means of our edifica- 
tion in righteousness, and of preservation from 
many evils of the world. 

We are concerned that the management of 
our Christian discipline be not committed to 
hands unclean; particularly of such who allow 
or connive at undue liberties in their own chil- 
dren or families. "If a man," said the apostle, 
"know not how to rule his own house, how shall 
he take care of the Church of God?"— 1808. 

The love, power, and peaceable spirit of the 
Lord Jesus Christ, being the alone true autho- 
rity of all our meetings, it is the fervent concern 
of this meeting, that they may be held under 
the sense and influence of that holy unction. — 
1795. 

In order to unite us more nearly one to an- 
other as members of the same body, and to 



DISCIPLINE. 47 

strengthen each other's hands in promoting the 
cause of Truth, it is recommended that Friends 
stand open to the leadings of the love of God, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord; and when in 
that they feel their minds drawn to sit with 
any of their neighbouring Monthly or Quarterly 
meetings, that they attend thereto, and that 
such meetings as are so visited, receive such in 
the same love, and not look upon them as in- 
truders; thus mutual help will be given and re- 
ceived amongst us. 

Dear Friends, be patient in the exercise of 
your gifts and services, and take no offence at 
any time because what seems to be clear to you 
is not presently received by others. Let all things 
in the Church be propounded with an awful re- 
verence of Him who is the head and life of it; 
who said, "Where two or three are gathered 
together in my name, there am I in the midst 
of them ;" therefore let all beware of their own 
spirits, and keep in a gracious temper, that so 
they may be fitted for the service of the house 
of God, whose house we are if we keep upon 
the foundation that God hath laid; and such he 
will build up, and teach how to build up one 
another in him. And as every member must 



48 DISCIPLINE. 

feel life in himself and all from one Head, this 
life will not hurt itself in any, but be tender of 
itself in all ; for by this one life of the Word ye 
were begotten, and by it ye are nourished and 
made to grow into your several services in the 
Church of God. It is no man's learning, or 
artificial acquirements; it is no man's riches, 
or greatness in this world; it is no man's elo- 
quence or natural wisdom, that makes him fit 
for government in the Church of Christ: all his 
endowments must be seasoned with the heaven- 
ly salt, and his gifts pass through the fire of 
God's altar, a sacrifice to his praise and honour, 
that so self being baptized into death, the gifts 
may be used in the power of the resurrection of 
the life of Jesus in him. — 1808. 

It is advised, that where any transgress the 
rules of our discipline, they may, without par- 
tiality, be admonished and sought in the spirit 
of love and Divine charity, so that it ifiav be 
seen by all, that the restoring spirit of meekness 
and Christian love abounds, before church cen- 
sure takes place, and that a gospel spirit is the 
spring and motive to all our performances, as 
Avell in discipline as in worship. — 174G to 1770. 



DOCTRINES. 49 

And it is further recommended, that in con- 
ducting the affairs of our meetings, as it is the 
Lord's work, let it be done as in his sight ; thus 
Friends should humbly endeavour to manage 
them in the peaceable spirit and wisdom of 
Jesus, with decency, forbearance, and love of 
each other.— 1755, 1782, 1806, 1834. 



DOCTRINES. 



There are influences operating in the present 
day, both within and without the pale of our 
Society, the tendency of which is to draw the 
members from the simplicity and spirituality 
of our Christian profession, and from a faithful 
and consistent support of the principles and 
testimonies of the gospel as always held by us, 
into a nearer conformity to the religion, the 
worship, and ways of the world. These in- 
fluences are apparent in the same disposition 
to shun the daily self-denial and cross-bearing 
belonging to the Christian ; in the effort to re- 
duce religion very much to a formal and intel- 
lectual work, which the unaided powers of man 
may originate or promote ; to smooth and widen 



50 DOCTRINES. 

the path to salvation, so as to make it more easy 
and attractive to the tastes and inclinations of 
the unregenerate mind ; and to substitute works 
of a benevolent or ostensibly religious character, 
for lowly watchful waiting, in silent introver- 
sion, at the feet of Jesus, to be taught of Him. 
in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom 
and knowledge, and who only can savingly in- 
struct in the things which belong to the soul's 
peace. 

The awakened mind is readily influenced by 
the desire to be doing something for Christ's 
cause, and unless it watches diligently unto 
prayer, in the Light of the Lord, the will of 
man prompts this desire into unbidden activity; 
takes pleasure in it; gradually dims the spiritual 
vision, and leads to the substitution of these 
formal services, for the patient abiding under 
the heart-changing and crucifying work of the 
Holy Spirit in the soul, which is in danger of 
settling down at ease in them. 

In the feeling of Christian love and inb 
for all our dear Friends, and especially for the 
younger class, we tenderly desire that we may 
all diligently watch against these plausible and 
delusive tendencies, and strive to dwell much 
inward with Christ Jesus, in reverent, silent 



DOCTRINES. 51 

retirement from the many alluring voices that 
are abroad, seeking above all to be taught of 
Him who is the only saving Teacher, and who 
will not fail to give true peace and rest to all 
who come to Him, take his yoke upon them, 
and learn of Him, who is meek and lowly of 
heart. 

The preciousness of our testimony to the pre- 
rogative of the Head of the Church to dispense 
to whomsoever He will, the gift of Gospel 
ministry, and against all ministry originating 
or performed in the will and wisdom of man, 
has been reneweclly felt at this time ; having 
been revived by accounts received that a few 
of our members have not been sufficiently on 
their guard against lowering its importance and 
retarding its spread. Let us ever bear in re- 
membrance, dear Friends, that as it is only 
under the immediate influence of the Holy 
Spirit that acceptable worship can be performed, 
so it is alone, when by the transforming power 
of his grace the Head of the Church has pre- 
pared any for his service, and bestowed a special 
gift therefor, that true gospel ministry can be 
exercised ; and this not in their own time and 
way, but when and where He freshly qualifies 
and appoints. Those who are thus called and 



52 GAMING AND DIVERSIONS. 

commissioned, as thev wait on their holy Leader, 
find they have nothing of their own to glory in, 
for, at his command, and as He gives the matter, 
a necessity is laid upon them; yea, woe is unto 
them if they preach not the gospel. Hence 
they are bound freely to dispense that which 
they also have freely received, looking for and 
accepting no other reward than that given by 
their Master for obeying his commands. — 1867. 



GAMING AND DIVERSIONS. 

As our time passeth swiftly away, and our 
delight ought to be in the law of the Lord, it is 
advised that a watchful care be exercised over 
our youth and others in membership, to prevent 
their going to stage-plays, horse-races, music, 
dancing, or any such vain sports and pastimes; 
and being concerned in lotteries, wagering, or 
other species of gaming. And as we are not 
only accountable for our substance, but also for 
our time, let them be employed in fulfilling our 
respective religious and social duties, remember- 
ing the injunction, "Work while it is called to- 
day, for the night cometh wherein no man can 
work." 



GAMING AND DIVERSIONS. 53 

All parents and heads of families are exhorted 
to seek to be endued with the clothing of the 
Holy Spirit, that they may at suitable seasons 
be enabled to raise in the minds of the youth 
and those under their direction, a sense of the 
inexpressible comfort and delight which attends 
the exercise of true religion and virtue; thus 
they will see that the sports and diversions 
which are used to obtain what is falsely called 
pleasure, are the inventions of degenerate and 
corrupt minds, who being ignorant of that solid 
satisfaction of soul which is of an enduring na- 
ture, vainly attempt to supply the want of it by 
those pleasures which end in anxiety and sor- 
row.— 1808. 

Among the striking characteristics of the pre- 
sent day, are the instability and love of excite- 
ment which pervade the minds of the people. 
Many even among the professors of religion 
seem to be "lovers of pleasure, more than lovers 
of God," looking abroad for sources of gratifica- 
tion, and eagerly pursuing anticipated pleasures, 
instead of endeavouring to secure from the pre- 
sent hour as it passes, those tranquil enjoyments 
which are the fruit of well doing, and to culti- 



54 GAMING AND DIVERSIONS. 

vate that retirement and mental introversion, in 
which we may profitably commune with our 
own heart and be still. One of the effects of 
this state of unsettlement is the great increase 
of public amusements and pastimes, which has 
latterly become so obvious; for. as "the eye is 
never satisfied with seeing, nor. the ear with 
hearing." so when the mind is let out to seek 
gratification in these vanities, the desire for 
them increases with the indulgence; and it is 
constantly requiring new objects to please the 
senses, and to fill the aching void which they 
leave behind them. Often, after having run the 
giddy round, in the vain pursuit of pleasure, 
there is a secret sense of bitter disappointment, 
and a consciousness that these empty trifles can- 
not satisfy the longings of an immortal mind, 
designed for nobler and purer enjoyments. 

We apprehend that many of the lectures and 
readings, with other kindred exhibitions, are of 
latter time so mixed up with improper associa- 
tions, that parents and others have need to be 
on their guard, lest in going themselves, or al- 
lowing their children to attend, they should be 
promoting a dissipation of mind, and an expo- 
sure to hurtful influences, the consequences of 



GAMING AND DIVERSIONS. 55 

which may be lastingly and injuriously felt. 
To say nothing of the more objectionable kinds 
of diversion, it is often the case that pastimes 
and shows, which seem at first view to be of a 
more innocent character, when they are strictly 
inquired into, are found to be attended with ac- 
companiments which are not such as a Christian 
ought to countenance ; and we believe there is, 
at the present time particularly, great need for 
all to be studiously watchful, how r they give 
way to the solicitation to attend on such occa- 
sions, lest they baulk our religious profession, 
encourage wrong things, and thereby wound 
and weaken their own minds. — 1853, 



5G HIRELING MINISTRY. 



HIRELING MINISTRY. 

Let us keep in remembrance, that it is under 
the immediate teaching and influence of the 
Holy Spirit, that all acceptable worship is per- 
formed, and all true gospel ministry supplied; 
that this pure and powerful influence, in vessels 
sanctified and prepared by the Divine hand, is 
the essential qualification for that work; and 
that as the gift is Divine, the service is freely 
and faithfully to he discharged, without any 
view to reward from man. — 1757. 

It is the prerogative of the blessed Head of 
the Church to dispense to whomsoever he will, 
those gifts which he designs to be occupied for 
its edification. When, by the transforming 
power of his grace, he has prepared any for his 
service, and bestowed on them a gift i J 1 the min- 
istry, such having freely received it from Him, 
feel themselves bound as freely to dispense that 
with which they are entrusted; having nothing 



HIRELING MINISTRY. 57 

wherein they can glory; because a necessity is 
laid upon them ; yea, woe is unto them, if they 
preach not the gospel. Tins was the experience 
of the primitive ministers of Christ, whose glory 
it was, that they made not the gospel chargeable 
to any. The system of hireling ministry pre- 
sumes to place this Divine prerogative in the 
arbitrary control of fallible men, who permit 
any that comply with their prescribed forms, to 
assume the sacred office; while all others, how- 
ever godly in their lives, and however clearly 
called of the Lord to the work of the ministry, 
are prohibited from engaging in it. It is a sys- 
tem which does not profess that any renewed 
Divine aid or qualification is to be sought for, or 
expected, in the solemn acts of preaching or 
praying, and proposes to perform them in return 
for a pecuniary compensation; all which is clear- 
ly in opposition to the practice of the primitive 
Church, and to the liberty of the gospel — an 
obstruction to the religious growth and useful- 
ness of individuals; and a great barrier to the 
spread of those spiritual views which constitute 
an essential part of vital religion. 

There is no testimony for which the early 
members of our Society suffered more deeply in 



58 HIRELING MINISTRY. 

person and estate, than that which they so no- 
bly bore to a free gospel ministry, of Christ's 
selection and appointment; and there was no 
class of men at whose hands thev endured more 
unrelenting persecution, than those who arro- 
gated to themselves the ministerial office, and 
would not tolerate a religion which struck at 
the very root of the system from which they 
derive their power and their support. 

However men may have changed, the system 
remains the same. Our testimony against it has 
lost none of its force or its obligation. Those 
who slight or baulk it, are trampling upon the 
sufferings of our worthy predecessors, and going 
back into the bondage to carnal ordinances, out 
of which thev were redeemed. Such we believe 
will suffer loss in a spiritual sense; disqualify- 
ing themselves for the performance of that wor- 
ship which is in spirit and in truth, and which 
only is acceptable to the Father, and are in dan- 
ger of settling into lukewarmness and cold form- 
ality. 

It is our affectionate and earnest desire that 
all our members may be afresh incited to watch- 
fulness and a godly zeal, in reference to this im- 
portant testimony; and carefully abstain from 



LOVEANDUNITY. 59 

places where a hireling ministry is exercised ; 
and where any are so unguarded as to give 
cause for uneasiness on this account, that con- 
cerned Friends should tenderly admonish them, 
in the restoring love of the gospel, that so they 
may be brought to a due sense of their error, 
and be aroused to greater faithfulness. — 1854. 



LOVE AND UNITY. 

Among the gospel precepts, we find not any 
thing more strongly and frequently recommend- 
ed by our Lord Jesus Christ and his apostles to 
the primitive believers, than that they should 
love one another ; arid as we are sensible that 
nothing w r ill more contribute to the peace and 
prosperity of the Church than a due regard to 
this advice, so we earnestly desire that it may 
be the care and concern of all Friends to dwell 
therein, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit to 
maintain love, concord and peace, in and among 
all the churches of Christ. 

Love and unity being the special badge of dis- 



60 LOVE AND UNITY. 

cipleship by which the real followers of Christ 
are ever to be distinguished, we tenderly desire 
that they may be always preserved among us, and 
that everything which tends to rob us of them be 
carefully shunned ; for without them, however 
earnest our zeal for the cause of Truth in other 
respects may appear, formality will take place 
of the substance, and the life and power of true 
religion be withdrawn. Let every one therefore 
watch over his own heart, and often examine 
whether he therein finds love to God and to the 
brethren his motive to action on all occasions, 
but more especially when we meet together for 
Divine worship and the support of the Dis- 
cipline. 

Let a spirit of love and humility more and 
more diffuse itself among us. and influence the 
hearts of all ; thus every one will be engaged 
to seek peace, and none be apt to take offence; 
but each in his own particular be more careful 
to rectify his own failings and imperfections 
than curious in observing, censuring, and aggra- 
vating those of others. 

Dear Friends, seek peace and pursue it. Ye 
are called to love. Oh that the smallest germ of 
enmity might be eradicated from our inclosure! 



LOVE AND UNITY. 61 

And verily there is a soil in which it cannot 
live, but naturally withers and dies. This soil 
is Christian humility — a state highly becoming 
and indispensable for a being who depends con- 
tinually on the favours of his Lord ; a state in 
which of all others he can most acceptably ap- 
proach his presence; and a state which natu- 
rally conducts frail man to love and compassion 
for the companions of his frailty and poverty, 
yet his fellow-partakers of the offered riches of 
the gospel. — 1808. 



62 MARRIAGE, 



MARRIAGE. 

Marriage being an ordinance of God, he 
alone can rightly join man and woman therein; 
neither priest nor magistrate are requisite to its 
accomplishment; and as we shall not find in all 
the Scripture that the priest had any part there- 
in, further than as a witness among others that 
were present, we cannot countenance any in the 
exercise of a function which we believe is de- 
signed merely to advance the interest and profits 
of a certain class of men ; and which is no part 
of the office of a gospel minister. 

As marriage is an engagement of great im- 
portance to our present peace and future well- 
being, it is much desired that it may not be en- 
tered upon inconsiderately, or on motives evi- 
dently inconsistent with that unerring wisdom 
by which it was primarily ordained; which was, 
for the mutual assistance and comfort of the 
parties in spirituals and temporals; and that 
their offspring may be educated in the nurture 



MARRIAGE. 63 

and admonition of the Lord ; and for the dis- 
charge of their duty in their various allotments 
in the world. 

Marriage implies union as well in spiritual as 
temporal concerns. Whilst the parties differ in 
religion, they stand disunited in the main point, 
even that which should increase and confirm 
their mutual happiness, and render them meet- 
helps and blessings to each other. Where it is 
otherwise, the reciprocal obligation into which 
they have entered becomes their burden ; what- 
ever felicity they might have flattered them- 
selves with in the beginning, they have found 
themselves disappointed of, by the daily uneasi- 
ness accompanying their minds and embittering 
their enjoyments. 

The perplexed situation of the offspring of 
such alliances is also to be lamented. Attached 
by nature to both parents, their confusion often 
renders them unfixed in principle and unsettled 
in practice; or if, as is usual, the sons attach 
themselves to the father, and the daughters to 
the mother, brothers and sisters are trained up 
in lines of conduct diverse from, and in some 
instances opposite to each other. Thus differing 
in principle, they are frequently divided in affec- 



64 MARRIAGE. 

tion ; and though so nearly related, are some- 
times at the greatest distance from that love 
and harmony which ought continually to sub- 
sist between them. 

To prevent falling into these disagreeable and 
disorderly engagements, it is requisite to beware 
of the paths that lead to them — the sordid in- 
terests and ensnaring friendships of the world — 
the contaminating pleasures and idle pastimes 
of earthly minds; also, the various solicitations 
and incentives of festivity and dissipation. Let 
our dear youth likewise avoid the too frequent 
and too familiar converse with those from whom 
may arise a danger of entanglement, by their 
alluring the passions and drawing the affections 
after them. 

All young or unmarried people in member- 
ship with us are advised, previously to their 
making any procedure in order to marriage, 
seriously and humbly to wait upon the Lord for 
his counsel and direction in this very important 
concern ; and when favoured with satisfactory 
clearness therein, early to acquaint their parents 
or guardians with their intentions, and wait for 
their consent. Thus preservation from the dan- 
gerous bias of forward, brittle, and uncertain 



MARRIAGE. 65 

affections would be experienced, to the real 
benefit of the parties and the comfort of their 
friends. 

And it is earnestly recommended to Friends, 
that they tenderly watch over the youth, and 
extend seasonable caution and admonition on 
such occasions. 

Let such of our members be admonished who 
keep company in order for marriage with per- 
sons not of our Society, or with any bound ser- 
vants or apprentices, without the leave of their 
masters or mistresses; or who are present them- 
selves, or consent to their children being pre- 
sent, at marriages of those not in membership, 
w T hich are accomplished by the assistance of a 
priest. 

Improper connections in marriage being often 
for want of due care in parents, and those who 
have the important charge of educating the 
youth, early to admonish and instruct them in 
the principles of Truth, and impress their minds 
with the duty of religiously observing them; 
where there is apparent danger of the affections 
of any such being improperly entangled, and 
the care of those who have the oversight of them 
appears not sufficient to prevent their taking 



66 MARRIAGE. 

imprudent steps in the accomplishment of mar- 
riage, they should early apply for the help of 
their friends. 

That no occasion may be given for reproach- 
ing the religious profession we are making, it is 
recommended that when any Friends dwelling 
in the same house have views of a connection 
in marriage with each other, and proposals on 
that account have been made and received, that 
they no longer reside together until the mar- 
riage is accomplished. And it is tenderly de- 
sired, that such of our members who are widow- 
ers or widows, would cautiously guard against 
making or encouraging proposals on account of 
marriage so early after the decease of wife or 
husband, as to manifest a disregard to the mem- 
ory of the deceased, and want of weighty exam- 
pie becoming our religious profession. 

The too ready acceptance of papers of ac- 
knowledgment from such persons who accom- 
plish their marriages out of the order of the 
Society, being of injurious consequence, and a 
cause of much concern and exercise, it is earn- 
estly recommended to Monthly meetings, that 
they be careful speedily to proceed to put the 
rules of our discipline in practice against such 



MARRIAGE. 67 

offenders; and when papers of acknowledgment 
and condemnation are offered, such meetings 
should be well assured that they proceed from a 
true ground of sincerity and conviction in the 
party, manifested by a consistency in life and 
conversation. 

And it is advised, that in the accomplishment 
of marriage, all Friends, particularly those in 
affluent circumstances, be careful to set a be- 
coming and encouraging example of moderation; 
that all unnecessarily expensive entertainments 
and large companies be avoided, and an especial 
guard maintained against inviting such as guests 
who are unlikely to conform to the order of our 
religious Society; and that all the marriages 
amongst us be accomplished decently, gravely, 
and weightily: that the parties themselves, their 
parents, and other Friends present, do take care 
that no occasion of offence or reproach be given, 
by any intemperate or immoderate eating ot 
drinking, or by any unseemly or rude discourse 
or actions; but that all behave w r ith such so- 
briety as becomes a people fearing God, and that 
the company retire to their homes in seasonable 
time. 



68 MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP. 



MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP. 

We exhort all to a Christian exercise and 
zeal in the performance of worship to Almighty 
God ; and as we are not capable in our own 
strength to perform this great duty, we recom- 
mend to a diligent waiting in true silence and 
retirement of mind, for the renewed sense of 
the inward power and virtue of his Spirit, where- 
by we shall be qualified to worship him in an 
acceptable manner. 

Let our faithfulness and sincerity herein ap- 
pear, by the humility, meekness, and circum- 
spection of our lives and conversation, adorning 
the doctrines and principles of Truth, as they 
were declared by Christ and his apostles; those 
who have been preserved in faithfulness therein, 
having to testify from living experience, that it 
hath been very profitable; and therefore cannot 
be easy without encouraging and putting for- 
ward their children, apprentices, and servants to 



MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP. 69 

this religious duty, as well as to other behaviour 
suitable thereunto. 

And it is advised, that such of our members 
as come late to meetings, or fall asleep when 
there, or are restless, or do not stay in the meet- 
ing, but go forth unnecessarily, or otherwise 
demean themselves unbecoming our holy profes- 
sion on those solemn occasions, be tenderly and 
seasonably admonished. 

Let not the smallness of numbers discourage 
you from constantly attending our religious 
meetings, inasmuch as the words of Christ re- 
main unchangeably true- and steadfast : " Where 
two or three are gathered together in my name, 
there am I in the midst of them." And with 
respect to temporal concerns, there are many 
witnesses to the verifying of his gracious pro- 
mise, " Seek ye first the kingdom of God and 
his righteousness, and all these things shall be 
added unto you." But when remissness and 
neglect of attending meetings for worship have 
prevailed, it hath been often an inlet to such 
undue liberties as Truth and its guidance do not 
admit of. 

•When gathered in our religious assemblies, let 
us be truly concerned to watch against every 



70 MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP. 

thought and imagination which has the least 
tendency to divert the mind from simplicity of 
desire after the Father of spirits, and Fountain 
of all good: thus retiring to the Divine and 
heavenly Gift, it will minister to every state and 
condition though you may have no outward 
teaching; and will preserve in humble waiting, 
till it be a proper time to break up your meet- 
ings with that decency and solemnity which 
should attend our minds in such service. Oh 
that the weigh tiness of our spirits, and the gran 
vity of our deportment in religious meeting 
may be such as to excite an awful sensation in 
observers! and that at the conclusion, we may 
avoid trivia] or unnecessary conversation : our 
conduct as well as countenances bespeaking that 
we have been with Jesus. 

They who are obedient to the universal in- 
junction of our Saviour. ••Watch." are prepared 
for the due fulfilling of every duty: and emi- 
nently so lor that most essential one of worship. 

How many feel themselves languid, when as- 
sembled for this solemn purpose, for want of a 
previous preparation of heart I The mind 
crowded with thoughts of outward things, .or 
freely conversing on them when we approach 



MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP. 71 

the place for public worship, and resuming them 
with avidity on our return, we are not likely to 
fill up the interval to profit; and to such, their 
meeting together may prove a form, as empty 
as any of those out of which we believe Truth 
called our forefathers, and still calls us. 

Dear Friends, keep all your meetings in the 
authority, wisdom, and power of Truth, and the 
unity of the blessed Spirit; and the God of 
peace be with % you. — 1808. 

The true and acceptable worship of Almighty 
God, and a pure gospel ministry, are duties and 
services of unspeakable importance to the wel- 
fare and preservation of our religious Society in 
the life and power, and practice of godliness. 
We have been brought to feel deeply under the 
fear that through the enervating influences of 
the spirit of the world, the zeal of many has 
grown cold, and their practice dwindled into 
little more than the form of aoins; to their meet- 
ings once a week, in others not so often, while 
some almost totally neglect them. 

If all our members were concerned for their 
own salvation, so that it was the object of their 
first and most earnest pursuit, under the guid- 



72 3IEETIXGS F E W OR S HI R 

anoe of the Hoiy Spirit, we believe they could 
not be easy to stay away from their religious 
meetings, bat would feel constr iea- 

vouf to surmount all obstacles, in re- 

sent themselves with their I sisters, 

for the performance of this solemn duty. TTe 
think there cannot be found amoi _ - a truly 
awakened individual, who. if is not im- 

pelled from a sense of religi - lutj to attend 
our meetings for Divine v si p, and that wher- 
ever there is a wilful gl ct of them, it is an 
evidence that such hav< _ from the Truth, 
and are in bondage to the hard taskmaster, who 
is leading them further and further inl e usa- 
bility of heart, which if not ai . must ter- 
minate in spiritual blindness, and the utter for- 
saking of the livii - ( - I. — l v - 

The testimony borne by our rel _ - S 'iety, 
from it- first rise, to the spiritual nature of all 
acceptable worship ; that it is not lent on 

any thins which one man can r another, 

but must be performed by each soul for ite 
through Christ J< sus our holy Mediator, and 
that it is equally attainable in a state of true 
silence, as when there is vocal utterance; is, 



MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP. 73 

we believe, very important to be faithfully and 
publicly upheld, in this day of abundant ac- 
tivity, and of dependence on outward perform- 
ances. 

Those who come to their religious meetings 
under a sense of their needs ; and when there, 
really hunger and thirst for the bread and water 
of life ; will, in the Lord's time, know their 
souls to be refreshed and comforted ; and, hav- 
ing tasted of the preciousness of inward and 
spiritual communion with Him, they will not 
only have no desire to attend at places where 
there are formal stated services, under the char- 
acter of worship ; but w T ill feel themselves re- 
ligiously restrained from violating our Christian 
testimony against a man-made and hireling min- 
istry, and to the supremacy and all-sufficiency 
of Christ in his church, as well as to that wor- 
ship which is in spirit and in truth. — 1863. 

Fervent are our desires for all our members, 
however small may be the number, who thus 
come together for the solemn purpose of offer- 
ing adoration to the Most High, that, humbly 
relying on the Great High Priest of our pro- 
fession for ability to appear with acceptance 
7 



74 MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP. 

before Him, they may wait, in the silence of all 
flesh, for the arising of a sense of his presence 
and power, and know Him to feed them with 
the food convenient for them. Then indeed 
would our meetings be held in the power of 
God, and while tending to build up on our most 
holy faith, would hold out a living invitation 
to others to come and have fellowship with us ; 
for they would be made sensible that our fel- 
lowship was with the Father and with his Son 
Jesus Christ. — 1875. 



MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 75 



MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 

It is our earnest desire, that ministers and 
elders may be as nursing fathers and mothers to 
those that are young in the ministry, and with 
all care and diligence advise, admonish, and if 
they see occasion, reprove them in a tender and 
Christian spirit, according to the rules of our 
discipline and counsel of Friends in that respect; 
also exhort them frequently to read the Holy 
Scriptures, and reverently to seek the mind of the 
Spirit of Truth, to open the mysteries thereof, 
that, abiding in a simple and patient submission 
to the will of God, and keeping down to the 
openings of Divine love and life in themselves, 
they may witness a gradual growth in their 
gifts, and be preserved from extending their 
declarations further than they find the life and 
power of Truth to bear them up. — 1723. 

As the occasion of our religious meetings is 
solemn, a care should ever be maintained to 



lb MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 

guard against everything that would tend to d 
order or confusion therein. When any think 
thev have aught against whafis publiclv deli- 
vered in those meetings, they should speak to 
the party privately and in an orderly manner. 
And if any shall oppose a ministering Friend in 
his or her preaching or exhortation, or keep on 
the hat. or show any remarkable dislik : such 
when engaged in prayer, let them be - lily 
admonr-hed in such manner as may be site, 

unless the person against whom the uneasir. — 
is expressed, has been disowned by a Monthly 
meeting, or his or her public appearances have 
been disapproved by the elders. — 171 

It is desired that Friends, when abroad on 
religious visits, may humbly and - 
under the weight of the c 
them out on this important emb 88j , and in 
which the meetings they are respectively m< 
bers of. have united: that using due diligence 
in endeavouring to fulfil the service, and thus 
seasonably returning to their families and frie 
at home, their exemplary care and tender regard 
to the comely order of our religion- 8 
mav have a salutary influence. — 1834. 



MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE. 77 

We tenderly recommend faithful Friends, and 
especially ministers and elders, to watch over 
the flock of Christ in their respective places and 
stations, always approving themselves by their 
pious examples, in conversation and conduct, to 
be such as faithfully and diligently walk agree- 
ably to the testimony of the blessed Truth, 
whereunto the Lord hath gathered us in this his 
gospel day.— 1755. 



MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE. 

It is affectionately recommended, that Friends 
be careful to use moderation on account of mar- 
riages, births, burials, and on all other occasions; 
conformably to the pure Truth, which leads into 
great circumspection, and would preserve from 
giving any just cause of offence or stumbling to 
any. On the other hand, a conduct and prac- 
tice assimilated to the maxims and fashions of 
the world, not only evinces our own individual 
unfaithfulness to the salutary restrictions of the 
principle we make profession of, but is an ob- 



78 MODERATION AXD TEMPERANCE. 

struction to the progress of reformation, pro- 
motes various evils, and tends to obscure that 
light, and lessen the precious savour which our 
example should be a means of diffusing among 
men, agreeably to the exhortation of the holy 
apostle, "Let your moderation be known unto 
all men, the Lord is at hand." Phil. iv. 5. And 
as the All-seeing; Eve beholds our thoughts, and 
views us in all our ways and actions, what man- 
ner of men ought we to be in all godliness of 
life, and sobriety of deportment. — 1808. 

As the true Christian life is the fruit of the 
inward sanctification of the heart by the spirit 
and power of Christ Jesus, so we believe that 
they who experience this blessed work in them- 
selves, will be redeemed from the pride and 
vanity of the world, and the practices which 
grow out of them, and be brought into the sim- 
plicity and self-denial enjoined by Him who was 
himself " meek and lowly of heart." Minds 
which are happily bent upon seeking a more 
glorious and enduring inheritance than temporal 
enjoyments can give, will have little relish for 
the fashions, the grandeur, or the empty compli- 
ments of a world that lieth in wickedness, but 



MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE. 79 

will be striving to fulfil the injunction of the 
apostle. "Be not conformed to this world, but be 
ye transformed by the renewing of jour minds, 
that ye may prove what is that good Slid ac- 
ceptable, and perfect will of God" concerning 
you. 

But, dear Friends, it is with sorrow we ob- 
serve that many, under our name, in this day 
of outward ease and prosperity, wherein the 
means of indulging pride and ambition are 
easily obtained, have swerved from that Chris- 
tian simplicity and plainness in habit, speech 
and deportment, and in the furniture of their 
houses and manner of living, which the gospel 
enjoins, and which become men and women 
professing godliness. It is cause of grief and 
concern to faithful Friends, to observe how far 
these things are departed from, and what an in- 
crease of luxury, extravagance, and vain show 
is to be seen among us. 

Some, to excuse or palliate their departures 
in these respects, speak of them as " little 
things," and of small moment, thereby endea- 
vouring to lower that standard of moderation 
and self-denial which is set before us in the 
Holy Scriptures, and which the Witness for 



80 MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE. 

Truth raised in the hearts of our forefathers^ 
and still calls all to uphold. We believe that 
nothing can be called little which forms a part 
of our duty to God. and that the disposition to 
lessen these testimonies, as well as the unwil- 
lingness to conform to them, arise alike from the 
unsubdued will and unmortified pride of the 
human heart, which shuns the offence of the 
cross. 

It is upon the simplicity of the Truth as it is 
in Jesus, whose whole life was one of contradic- 
tion to the grandeur and glory of this world, 
and on the heart-changing nature of the religion 
which he introduced, that our testimony to 
plainness and moderation rests. And why is it, 
Friends, that you seek to be conformed to the 
world in these things, and to imitate its fashions 
and customs? Is it not to be like the people of 
the world ; from a desire to emulate their style 
of living, and to escape that mortification which 
arises from being considered strict or narrow- 
minded? We believe, if you would search 
closely into the secret motives which lie at the 
bottom of such worldly compliances, you would 
find tliev had their origin in that love of the 
world, respecting which it is declared, that if 



MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE. 81 

any man indulge it, the love of the Father is 
not in him. Oh, then, dear Friends, let us af- 
fectionately entreat you seriously to ponder the 
path you are pursuing, and inquire of the blessed 
witness for God in your own hearts, whether it 
is that strait and narrow way which your dear 
Redeemer trod before you, who " set us an ex- 
ample that we should follow his steps." Suffer 
him, we beseech you, to arise in your hearts, 
and plead his own cause; and as you give your- 
selves up to his leading, He will bring you out 
of these indulgences into a conformity to his 
Divine will, strengthening you, with holy mag- 
nanimity and firmness, to deny yourselves, and 
to despise the shame or the reproach which the 
ungodly world may attach to your humble, sim- 
ple way of life, and give you to partake of that 
peace which is the enriching reward of obe- 
dience. 

It is cause of concern to observe, that some 
who are themselves consistent in their personal 
appearance and deportment, have gone out into 
greater show and expense in the furniture of 
their houses and their style of living, than the 
proper sphere of the humble follower of Christ 
will justify. Besides the inconsistency of these 



82 MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE. 

departures, we would invite our dear friends to 
a serious consideration of the effects which such 
a course of life will be likely to have upon their 
beloved offspring. If the the parents grati- 

fying; a vain mind in such things, can it reason- 
ably be expected that the children will be dis- 
posed to submit to the restrain:- the cross in 
their dress and Ian- lage; or will they not ra- 
ther conclude, that if the other is allowed by 
the parents, the latter cannot be more incon- 
sistent for them? — 1853. 



musio. 83 



MUSIC. 

We would also renewedly caution all our 
members against indulging in music, or having 
instruments of music in their houses, believing 
that the practice tends to promote a light and 
vain mind, and to disqualify for the serious 
thought-fulness, which becomes an accountable 
being:, hastening: to his final reckoning. When 
we consider that our days pass swiftly away, 
and that our time is one of the talents com- 
mitted to our trust, for the employment of which 
we shall have to render an account in the day 
of judgment, it becomes us to be living as stran- 
gers and pilgrims upon earth, seeking a better 
country, and to be diligently using it for the 
great end for which it is lent to us, even in 
working out the soul's salvation in fear and 
trembling, and not in vain amusements or cor- 
rupting pleasures, but striving that "whether 
we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, we may 



84 OATHS. 

do all to the glory of God;" that "God in all 

things may be glorified by us, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord." — 1853. 



OATHS. 

Advised, that our Christian testimony be 
faithfully maintained against the burthen and 
imposition of oaths, according to the express 
command of Christ, and the injunction of the 
Apostle James, viz.: "Ye have heard that it 
hath been said by them of old time, thou shalt 
not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the 
Lord thine oaths; but I say unto you, Swear 
not at all : neither by heaven, for it is God's 
throne : nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; 
neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the 
great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy 
head, because thou canst not make one hair 
white or black : but let your communication be 
yea, yea, nay, nny; for whatsoever is more than 
these cometh of evil." Matt. v. 33-37. 

"But above all things, my brethren, swear 



OATHS. 85 

not. neither by heaven, neither by the earth, 
neither by any other oath : but let your yea, be 
yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into con- 
demnation." James v. 12. 

Friends in all places are exhorted carefully to 
avoid electing or promoting their brethren to 
such stations in civil government as may subject 
them to the temptation of violating this testi- 
mony; and in the execution of instruments of 
writing requiring witnesses, it is recommended 
that Friends endeavour to procure such persons 
for this purpose, as will attest the same by affir- 
mation. 



86 PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 



PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 

It behoves all parents and heads of families 
to be good examples themselves, watching over 
their youth for good, and early guarding them 
against those deviations from simplicity in 
speech, behaviour and apparel, by which many 
have been betrayed into injurious company and 
unsuitable connections, and some into an entire 
renunciation of the religious principles and pro- 
fession of their fathers. That faithfulness in 
the discharge of this important trust is well 
pleasing to the Lord, remarkably appears in 
that gracious testimony given concerning his 
servant Abraham: "Shall I hide from Abraham 
that thing which I do : for I know him that he 
will command his children and his household 
after him; and they shall keep the way of the 
Lord to do justice and judgment; that the Lord 
may bring upon Abraham that which he hath 
spoken of him :" which was indeed to bless both 



PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 87 

him and his offspring, and make of him a great 
nation. 

But contrarywise was it with Eli, who, though 
he reproved his disorderly sons, yet not restrain- 
ing them when he might have done it, they be- 
came "sons of Belial," and signal examples of 
Divine displeasure. 

Wherefore, dear Friends, seeing the Lord 
hath been pleased in his infinite goodness to 
raise us up as a people to bear testimony to his 
Truth, and against the corrupt customs and 
fashions of the world, let us be mindful of our 
calling, watchful over ourselves, and daily seek- 
ing to Him for wisdom rightly to govern the in- 
experienced youth entrusted to our care; habit- 
uating them from their infancy to the safe and 
pleasant paths of simplicity and innocence, piety 
and virtue ; and nipping in the bud every ap- 
pearance of an inclination to the contrary ; en- 
deavouring, as their understandings unfold, to 
inform and convince them of the ground of our 
religious testimonies; and often reminding them 
that it was by a faithful submission to the mani- 
festations and restrictions of Truth, that our 
honourable predecessors were enabled to endure 
with patience the many persecutions and crosses 



88 PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 

they underwent, and were freed from a slavery 
to the evils w r e have mentioned — evils, which 
even those who are bound to them by custom, 
have often confessed, are inconsistent with the 
nature and design of the Christian religion, and 
connect with other improprieties of pernicious 
consequence. Thus may these tenderly beloved 
objects of our solicitude be engaged to walk in 
the footsteps of the righteous who are gone be- 
fore ; and preferring the Lord's cause to all 
things else, finally partake of that rest and joy, 
into which we surely believe those dignified sons 
of the morning are now forever entered. 

It is advised that Friends, as they prize the 
real welfare of their children, choose such occu- 
pations for them as are consistent with our reli- 
gious principles and testimonies; and that they 
be placed for instruction with sober and exem- 

J. 

plary members of the Society, that, as far as in 
us lies, they may be preserved in a consistency 
of conduct and demeanour. 

Our members are reminded of the propriety 
of keeping their families, as much as conve- 
niently may be, unmixed; that an exemplary 
consistency may be maintained therein, and a 
corruption of manners avoided. 



PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 89 

Friends are desired, by all the means in their 
power, to keep our youth duly to meetings, to 
dissuade all under their care from the indecent 
practice of straggling abroad on the first dny of 
the week ; and at all times to prevent them from 
mixing with crowds of rude and noisy people, 
w T hich are not only interruptive of the public 
peace, but often productive of mischief to indi- 
viduals. 

Let us w T ho are advanced in years and expe- 
rience, like wise builders, lay the found ation 
deep, manifesting to the youth, by our uniform 
regard to real piety and virtue, that, looking 
beyond our own dissolution, we are engaged for 
their present and future prosperity, and are la- 
bouring in the fear of the Lord that their minds 
may be so preserved from corruption, that they 
may understand their true interest, consider the 
uncertainty of temporal things, and above all 
have their hope and dependence settled on the 
blessing of the Almighty, who, though he inha- 
bits eternity, and dwelleth in the light, yet con- 
descends to regard those whose hearts are con- 
trited before him, and tremble at his word. 
Hereby the gracious design of Divine Providence 
concerning them w T ould not be frustrated by our 



90 PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 

conduct or omission of duty; and we may be 
instrumental in preparing their minds to receive 
the power of Truth, without which they can 
never be happy. 

Ye parents, be solicitous to discharge your 
important and awful duty with scrupulous atten- 
tion. It is often too late to warn the youthful 
mind of danger, when your own negligence or 
indulgence hath suffered your offspring to devi- 
ate from that path of simplicity in which you 
have thought yourselves bound to walk, and in 
which you have found peace. If you fail to 
suppress the early beginnings of undue liberty. 
how can you expect a blessing on your endea- 
vours, when further deviations at length arouse 
your attention ? and how, having failed to rule 
your own houses well, ran you expect duly to 
take care of the Church of God? There were 
of old those who brought children to Christ in 
the days of his flesh, and now the religious pa- 
rent can breathe no warmer aspiration for them, 
than when he spiritually commends his tender 
offspring to the protection of his Lord : but - . 
Friends, that you encourage no propensities in 
them, which prevent a union with him. — 1S08, 



, 



PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 91 

When parents 'are primarily concerned to 
train up their children for heaven, rather than 
to gain for them a character and standing among 

the rich, the popular, or the honourable of this 
world, they will not only be engaged, like some 
of old, to bring them to Jesiis, that they may 
learn of him, but will avail themselves of every 
means which may serve as a help in the early 
subjection of the will, and in that discipline of 
the cross, which so essentially contribute to the 
future comfort of the child; and, like breaking 
up the fallow 7 ground, prepare it for the recep- 
tion of the heavenly Seed. In this important 
work, the restraints of simplicity and plainness 
in habit, speech and demeanour, form important 
auxiliaries, curbing the proud and aspiring dis- 
positions of youth, and serving as an important 
hedge about them, during a critical and exposed 
period of life. The same remarks may be made 
as respects a plain, simple mode of living, and 
the firm but gentle control which springs up in 
a well-regulated Christian family, the unspeak- 
able benefits of which many have had gratefully 
to acknowledge in after years, as having been a 
means of preservation, however irksome they 



92 PARENTS AND CHILDKEX. 

sometimes found them to their unsubjected 
tempers. — 1853. 

In much love to the rising generation, we 

exhort them to avoid the many vanities and 
ensnaring corruptions to which they are expo- 
Bear in mind, dear youth, that "the fear of the 
Lord is the beginning of wisdom." and that "a 
a i d understanding have all they who do his 
commandments." Psalm xci. 10. Take the 
vice of godly parents, guardians and friends ; 
ever remembering that, next to our Creator, 
children ought to obey their parents: that dis- 
obedience to them is a breach of the moral law, 
and was always offensive in the Divine sight. 
Submit to their reasonable requirings with cheer- 
fulness, though these may sometimes thwart 
your own inclinations: and answer them not 
frowardly or crossly. They watched over you 
and took care of you. when you were utterly 
unable to help or c r yours " s. Why 

then should any of you grieve and wound tl i r 
still anxious minds, by a conduct which. I 
of its tendency to obstruct your welfare and 
happiness, you know they cannot approve? — 
such as running into vain and expensive fash- 



PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 93 

ions; associating with corrupt and libertine per- 
sons; frequenting taverns and places of diversion ; 
wasting your precious time in idle discourse, 
and drawing the affections and inflaming the 

passions one of another; all which, we have no 
doubt, the Divine Monitor in your own breasts 

would check you for, and show you to be cle- 

./ * %/ 

structive of your peace. We, as fathers, be- 
seech you to attend to this heavenly Instructor, 
and dutifully yield to the correspondent tender 
advice of your friends. Shrink not from the 
cross of Christ in your o'arb, language, or man- 
ners; but, through a subjection of your wills to 
the Divine will, in these and all other respects, 
walk answerably to the purity of our profession, 
and the simplicity and spirituality of our wor- 
ship: so may you be instructive examples to 
serious inquirers after truth ; and not of those 
who, under a profession thereof, are preferring 
their own crooked ways, and turning others 
from the footsteps of the followers of Christ. — 
1792. 

Great is the responsibility resting on parents, 
and others having the direction of children; 
and strong are the claims made upon them, not 



94 PARENTS AXD CHILDREN. 

only by parental love, but by the duty they owe 

to Him whose heritage children are. to labor 
patiently and fervently to bring them up in the 
nurture and admonition of the Lord, seeing they 
stand as delegated Shepherds, who must give 
account for the lambs entrusted to their keep- 
ing. We would, therefore, affectionately, but 
earnestly, press upon the consideration of all 
occupying these stations, the necessity of being 
willing to make such sacrifices as may be need- 
ful to secure to their offspring competent school 
instruction; and to seek daily for ability to 
check, in a right spirit, the early budding of 
their corrupt nature; to accustom them to a 
proper restraint of their youthful d< and 

will ; and gently to lead them into an acquaint- 
ance with and submission to the voice of their 
Saviour, in the secret of their soul, that so they 
may be induced to take his yoke upon them, 
and. by learning of him, be prepared to enlist 
in his service, and receive the inestimable re- 
ward of his peace. As this concern is main- 
tained, and the counsel and government en- 
forced in meekness and love, and by a daily 
walk of the parent consistent with the precepts 
he is seeking to instil into the mind of his 



PARTIES. 95 

child, we believe the blessing of the Most High 
will not be withheld, and a well-grounded hope 
may be entertained that he will see of the tra- 
vail of his soul and be satisfied. — 1865. 



PAKTIES. 



We wish seriously to call the attention of our 
members to a practice, which we fear is a grow- 
ing evil, of collecting large companies of young 
people at the houses of Friends, where they are 
often detained until an unseasonable hour of the 
night, breaking in upon the order of a well- 
regulated family, and exposing the youth to 
many temptations. Such practices we believe 
are of very hurtful tendency, and require the 
vigilant care of well concerned parents and 
others, to check and prevent them. How much 
of the demeanour and conversation which passes 
on such occasions, is of a very light and frivo- 
lous character, even if it be no worse; unworthy 
of beings endowed by a beneficent Creator with 
noble powers of mind, designed to be employed 
to his glory and the good of each other, and 



96 PARTIES. 

wholly unbecoming the gravity of the Christian, 
who feels the responsibility of his high calling, 
and knows that for every idle word that men 
shall speak, they must give an account thereof 
in the day of judgment! How much idle curi- 
osity and evil emulation are often awakened 
respecting the dress of individuals, and the char 
acter of the entertainment, each one trying to 
outvie others, and set themselves off to advan- 
tage, while the excitement of mind and feelings 
which is produced, and the insincerity and dis- 
play, prompted by the desire to please, are very 
uncongenial with the formation of a sound reli- 
gious and moral character. The great end of 
society is mutual improvement and rational en- 
joyment ; but we think there are few who at- 
tend these parties, but must acknowledge that 
they are for from being occasions of improve- 
ment, or of yielding the mind any calm, sub- 
stantial pleasure. We hope the practice will 
claim the care of Friends, and that they will 
endeavour to produce a reformation therein. — 
1853. 



PLAINNESS. 97 



PLAINNESS. 

Advised, that all Friends, both old and young, 
keep out of the world's corrupt language, man- 
ners, vain and needless things and fashions, in 
apparel, buildings, and furniture of houses; 
some of which are immodest, indecent, and un- 
becoming. And that they avoid immoderation 
in the use of lawful things, which, though inno- 
cent in themselves, may thereby become hurt- 
ful; also such kinds of stuffs, colours and dress, 
as are calculated more to please a vain and 
wanton mind, than for real usefulness; and let 
tradesmen and others, members of our religious 
Society, be admonished, that they be not acces- 
sory to these evils; for we ought to take up our 
daily cross, minding the grace of God which 
brings salvation, and teaches to deny all ungod- 
liness, and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, 
righteously and godly in this present world, that 
we may adorn the doctrine of our Lord Jesus 
Christ in all things; so may we feel his blessing, 



98 PLAINNESS. 

and be instrumental in his hand for the good of 
others. 

Our forefathers, and the truly religious in the 
present day, being through' the teachings of the 

Spirit of Christ, brought to see in the first place 
the necessity of sincerity and uprightness of heart 
towards God, and that this awful inward work 
required great watchfulness and faithful obe- 
dience to his commands, they were drawn out 
of the vain fashions and customs of the world, 
knowing from experience that a redeemed mind 
could have no life in them. 

If our voutli or others should make light of 
that plainness of speech, apparel and furniture 
which we have been led into. let them seriously 
examine their own hearts with due regard to 
the grace of God placed there; and they will 
find, that so far as they embrace such vanities 
they weaken themselves in the practice of reli- 
gious duties, and expose themselves to further 
temptations, and more dangerous vices. 

It is not a sufficient excuse for such devia- 
tions, to suppose that some may put on the ap- 
pearance of plainness for temporal ends, and 
from hypocritical motives; for such as these are 
an abomination to God and good men, and ought 



PLAINNESS. 99 

no more to deter the sincere-hearted from an 
exemplary behaviour and conduct, than -a just 
man should be prevented from speaking truth 
because others, when they covertly can, may be 
guilty of falsehood. We also tenderly advise, 
that Friends take heed that they use plainness 
of speech without respect of persons in all their 
converse among men ; and not balk their testi- 
mony by a cowardly compliance, vaiying their 
language according to their company : a practice 
of very ill example, rendering those who use it 
contemptible, and looked upon as a kind of 
hypocrites even by those with w r hom they so 
comply. This seems to be cautioned against by 
the apostle when he advises, 1 Tim., "That the 
deacons be grave, not double-tongued ;" plainly 
importing that it is inconsistent with the gravity 
of the gospel. 

When you [who are parents] see a libertine 
and wanton spirit appear in your children and 
servants, that lusteth after the vain customs and 
fashions of the world either in habit or outward 
adorning, and your assistance and allowance are 
craved therein, without which it cannot get for- 
ward while they are under your government; oh 
then look to yourselves, and discharge your trust 



100 PLAIXXESS. 

for God. and for the good of their souls, exhorting 
in meekness and commanding in wisdom, that so 
you may minister and reach to the witness, and 
help them over their temptations in the autho- 
rity of God's power; and when they feel them- 
selves helped and delivered, their souls will 
bless God for you. and you will reap the comfort 
of your labour. 

Advised, that all Friends, both male and fe- 
male, be careful that their adorning be that of a 
meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of 
God of great price: even as the holy men and 
women of old professing godliness, with good 
works, were adorn 

It is cause of grief and painful concern, in 
observing that many of our youth, instead of 
attending to the gospel exhortation to be sober- 
minded, have given way to lightness and vanity, 
which leading into pride and its pernicious con- 
sequences, hath manifested, that though thev 
professed with us. they were not really of us. 

Oh! that our young women would cease from 
all unseemly and immodest appearance in their 
apparel! Certainly both males and females who 
take such undue liberties, ilee from the cross of 



PLAINNESS. 101 

Christ ; and if they do not repent and return, 
they will thereby suffer great loss. 

The pride of men. that hath corrupted many 
things, refuseth the gospel simplicity and natu- 
ral propriety of speech; being puffed up with a 
vain opinion of themselves, as if the singular 
number were not sufficient for them, they will 
have others speak to them in the plural. This 
corruption we are informed took place in the 
Roman commonwealth, when the courtiers, 
through flattery, sought to magnify the emperor 
by using the word you, etc., which, with various 
titles and appellations of honour, came after- 
wards to be applied to private persons. 

Seeing, then, that this form of speaking to 
men in the plural number, doth not accord with 
the language of Scripture, that it proceeds from 
pride and is in itself untrue, our ancient Friends 
found a necessity laid upon them to testify against 
this corruption, by using the singular equally 
unto all. 

It is our firm belief that it is not lawful for 
Christians either to give or receive titles of 
honour, as "your holiness," "your majesty,' 5 
"your excellency," etc., because these titles are 
no part of that obedience which is due to magis- 



102 PLAINNESS. 

trates or superiors ; neither doth the giving of 
them add to or diminish from that subjection 
we owe to them, which consists in obeying their 
just and lawful commands; not in titles and 
designations. — 1808. 

We tenderly exhort all seriously to consider 
the plainness and simplicity which the gospel 
enjoins, and to manifest an adherence to this 
testimony, in their speech, apparel, furniture, 
business, salutations and conversation; into 
which our forefathers were led by the Spirit of 
Christ, and in conformity with whose precepts 
and example, they patiently suffered long im- 
prisonments and great persecutions; being con- 
vinced that it was their duty thus to bear a 
testimony against the vain, corrupt spirit of the 
world. — 1746. 

The Spirit of Truth, which led our ancients 
to lay aside everything unbecoming the follow- 
ers of Christ, still leads in the same path all 
who submit to its guidance; we therefore earn- 
estly entreat all Friends to watch over them- 
selves in this respect. The example of our 
blessed Saviour, his immediate followers, and 



/ 



PLAINNESS. 103 

of virtuous and holy men in all ages, ought to 
make a due impression on every considerate 
mind ; and especially on such as have had the 
advantage of a guarded education. — 1743. 

We are called with a high and holy calling, 
to show forth in conduct and conversation, the 
purity which the gospel dispensation demands, 
and no desire for change, or any professed in- 
crease of light and knowledge, can warrant our 
forsaking that path of self-denial and simplicity, 
into which the Lord gathered our forefathers, 
and still leads those among us who are faithful 
to his call. Those testimonies are a hedge about 
us, and a disregard of them, will lay our mem- 
bers more open to the inroads of temptation, 
and tend to destroy the useful influence which 
the Society has had in the w^orld. We would 
affectionately beseech parents and children, to 
come more entirely under " the cross of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, by whom," said the Apostle, 
" I am crucified unto the world, and the world 
unto me/' Then they would be enabled to 
Ci glorify God in their body, and in their spirit 
which are his/' 

For our dear young Friends we feel much 



104 PLAINNESS. 

sympathy, and a strong desire that nothing 
may lead them away from the footsteps of 
Christ's companions ; but that they may sub- 
mit cheerfully to the gentle intimations and 
restraints of his Divine Spirit in their own 
hearts, who, as they resign all into his hand, 
will make his yoke easy and his burthen light, 
and give them that peace which passeth all un- 
derstanding, and which no earthly thing can 
give or take away. — 1859. 

We are sensible of the proneness of the 
human heart to rest in an outside profession 
of religion, and we would not give an undue 
prominence to those of our testimonies which 
render us peculiar in language, dress and man- 
ners, but we believe that they have their origin 
in the same scriptural and spiritual views of 
vital Christianity from which our doctrines 
spring; that their consistent maintenance has 
had an important influence in keeping us to- 
gether as a people, and in promoting the spread 
of our principles in the world at large. The 
three are closely connected with each other, 
and the abandonment of one, weakens our 
hands for the maintenance of the others. We 



PLAINNESS. 105 

would therefore affectionately impress upon 
our beloved fellow-members, the faithful sup- 
port of them all, as parts of that consistent 
system of faith and practice which the great 
Head of the church has laid upon us, seeking 
to Him for grace and strength to bear them in 
singleness of heart for his name and Truth's 
sake. Parents and others, who have the care 
of children, having come under the yoke of 
Christ themselves, will find it their religious 
duty to keep them to plainness of dress and 
simplicity of manners; accustoming them to 
the regular attendance of all our religious meet- 
ings, instructing them in the truths recorded in 
the Holy Scriptures, and watching for suitable 
opportunities to turn their attention to the still 
small voice of their Saviour, and the necessity 
of obeying its monitions, in order to experience 
a change of heart, and inculcating the duty of 
their endeavoring to draw near with loving 
hearts to their Father in heaven. — 1872. 



-S 



106 poor. 



POOR. 

Practical charity is supported by liberality. 
Where liberality ceaseth. charity waxeth cold, 
yea. so far ceaseth ; where there is no contribu- 
tion, there is no distribution; where one is spa- 
ring, the other is also : therefore let every one 
nourish charity in the root. — that is. keep a 
liberal mind, a heart that looks upon the sub- 
stance that is given him as much bestowed U| 
him for the support of charity, as for the sup- 
port of his own body. Those that are of this 
mind, will be careful that they do not keep back 
any of God's part; for in all ages he hath in a 
most singular manner espoused the cause of the 
poor, the widow and fatherless, and hath often 
signified by his prophets and ministers, a special 
charge to rich men that had this world's goods 



poor. 107 

that they should look to it, that they were faith- 
ful stewards of what they possessed, and that 
they be found in good works, and not suffer their 
hearts so to cleave to uncertain riches as to neg- 
lect the service God had given them the things 
of this life for, either to give them up when 
called for, in a testimony for his worthy name, 
or to communicate of them to those that were 
in necessity. 

Those who by sickness, lameness, age or other 
impotency, are brought into poverty, are your 
peculiar care, and objects pointed out to you to 
bestow your charity upon, for by them the Lord 
calls for it; for as the earth is the Lord's, and 
the fulness of it, he hath by his sovereign power 
commanded in every dispensation, that a part 
of what we enjoy from him should be thus em- 
ployed. The Israelites were to leave a part of 
their produce for the poor; and in the time of 
the gospel, they were to lay by a part of what 
God had blessed them with, for the relief of 
those that were in necessity, which was not con- 
fined to their own meetings only, but upon ex- 
traordinary occasions they had a regard to the 
whole Church of Christ ; and all that keep in 
the guidance of the same universal spirit, will 



108 poor. 

make it their business to be found in the same 
practice of charity and good works. They that 
forget not this Christian duty, will find out the 
poor's part in the corners and gleanings of the 
profits of their trades and merchandizings, as 
well as the Israelite of old did in the corners 
and gleanings of his field ; and in the dis- 
tribution of it will have a regard to comfort 
such who, by the Divine providence of God, 
are put out of a capacity of enjoying those 
outward comforts of health, strength and plenty 
which others enjoy. For while the}' are par- 
takers of the same faith, and walk in the way 
of righteousness with you, submitting them- 
selves patiently to the dispensation of God's 
providence towards them ; they are of your 
household and under your care, both to visit 
and relieve as members of one body, of which 
Christ Jesus is head; and he that giveth to such 
poor, lendeth to the Lord, and he will repay it. 
But there is another sort of poor, who make 
themselves poor through their sloth and care- 
lessness, and sometimes by their wilfulness, 
being heady and high-minded, and taking things 
in hand that are more than thej T can manage, 
and make a flourish for a season, and then 



poor. 109 

through their own neglect are plunged down 
into great poverty. These are a sort that the 
primitive churches began to be troubled with in 
the early days of the gospel. The apostle took 
notice of some that would not work at all, and 
sharply reproved them, saying, "They that 
would not work should not eat;" and these are 
commonly busybodies, and meddlers with others' 
matters, while they neglect their own, and run 
into a worse way than the unbelievers while 
they profess to be believers, yet do not take care 
for those of their own household. Such should 
have admonition and reproof, labouring to con- 
vince them of their sloth and negligence, and if 
they submit to your reproof, and are willing to 
amend, then care ought to be taken to help them 
into a way and means to support themselves ; 
and sometimes, by a little help in this kind, 
some have been reclaimed from the snares of 
their soul's enemy. But if they will not receive 
vour wholesome counsel and admonition, Friends 
will be clear of such in the sight of God ; for it 
is unreasonable in them to expect you should 
feed them that will not be advised by you, be- 
cause they break the obligation of Society by 

their disorderly walking; for our communion 
10 



110 REMOVALS. 

doth not stand only in frequenting meetings, 
and hearing truth preached, but in answering 
the blessed principle of Truth in life and con- 
versation, wherein both the rich and the poor 
have fellowship one with another. — 1808. 



REMOVALS. 

Friends are advised to be very cautious in 
changing their places of residence; it having 
been observed that the dissolving of old and the 
forming of new connections, have in many in- 
stances been attended with effects prejudicial to 
a growth in the Truth and the service thereof, 
both in the heads and younger branches of fami- 
lies. We therefore earnestly recommend to all, 
that on these occasions an humble, resigned at- 
tention be paid to the pointings of Divine Wis- 
dom ; and that before an}' determine to change 
their places of abode, they consult with their 
experienced fellow-members. — 1808. 



SCHOOLS. Ill 



SCHOOLS. 

As the right education of children, and the 
nurture of youth, is of very great consequence 
to them, and to the succeeding generations, we 
pressingly exhort all parents and heads of fami- 
lies to procure such useful learning for their 
children as their abilities will admit; and to 
encourage them, as well by example as precept, 
to the frequent reading of the Holy Scriptures, 
that they and the tutors under whom they are 
placed, carefully guard them from reading per- 
nicious publications ; and begin early to instil 
into their tender minds the principles of Truth, 
and instruct them in the nature and necessity 
of being born from above, without which, our 
Lord declared, no man shall see the kingdom of 
God ; and in order hereunto, that they labour 
to bring them acquainted with the holy Seed 
which is sown by the Divine Hand in every 
heart for that gracious end : that they may, 
through the Lord's blessing upon such pious en- 



112 SCHOOLS. 

deavours, be induced to place their affections 
upon it; and, cleaving thereto in faithful obe- 
dience, come to experience Christ within, to be 
unto them the hope of glory. 

It is the renewed concern of this meeting, to 
recommend a care for the offspring of parents 
whose income or earnings are so small as to ren- 
der them incapable of giving their children a 
suitable and guarded education; and as some 
of our members may incautiously permit their 
offspring to suffer this great loss, rather than 
apply for assistance from their Monthly meet- 
ings, it is recommended to Friends in every 
Monthly meeting to seek out such of their 
members as may be thus straitened, and admin- 
ister to their help; and it is desired that such 
will receive the salutary aid with a willing 
mind, and thankfulness to the great Author of 
all good. 

As the want of suitably qualified persons 
amongst Friends for teachers of schools, is the 
occasion of serious disadvantage to the Society 
in many places, as thereby well-disposed Friends 
are deprived of opportunities for educating their 
children in a manner consistent with a religious 
concern for their welfare; we desire Friends 



SCHOOLS. 113 

would attend to this important point in their 
Monthly meetings, and assist young men and 
women of low circumstances, whose capacities 
and conduct may be suitable for that occupation, 
with the means requisite to obtain the proper 
qualifications; and when so qualified, afford 
them the necessary encouragement for their 
support. 

Some in membership with us having placed 
their children at colleges and other seminaries, 
out of our religious Society, in order to give 
them what is termed a polished education; this 
meeting, viewing the youth of both sexes thus 
eituated, as very liable to have their minds im- 
bued with sentiments and principles which 
strengthen them in vain desires after exaltation 
and grandeur, and often lead them from the 
salutary restraints inculcated by our religious 
profession, desires that tender caution and coun- 
sel be extended to such parents and others, who 
may be in danger of erring in this way. — 1808. 

The education of our youth in piety and vir- 
tue, and giving them useful learning under the 
tuition of religious, prudent persons, having for 

a great number of years engaged the solid at- 
10* 



114 SCHOOLS. 

tention of this meeting, advices thereon have 
been from time to time issued to the several 
subordinate meetings; it is renewedly desired, 
that Quarterly, Monthly, and Preparative meet- 
ings may be excited to proper exertions for the 
institution and support of schools; there being 
but little doubt, that as Friends are united, and 
cherish a disposition of liberality for the assist- 
ance of each other in this important work, they 
\\i\\ be enabled to make such provision for the 
accommodation and residence of a teacher, with 
a family, as would be an encouragement to well- 
qualified persons to engage in this arduous em- 
ployment; for want of which, it has been ob- 
served that children have been committed to the 
care of transient persons, of doubtful character, 
and sometimes of very corrupt minds, by whose 
bad example and influence they have been be- 
trayed into principles and habits, which have 
had an injurious effect on them in more ad- 
vanced life. It is therefore indispensably in- 
cumbent on us to guard them against this 
danger, and to procure such tutors of our own 
religious persuasion, as are not only capable of 
instructing them in useful learning, to fit them 



HOLY SCRIPTURES. 115 

for the business of this life, but to train them in 
the knowledge of their duty to God, and one 
towards another. — 1778 — 1787. 



HOLY SCRIPTURES. 

Inasmuch as the Scriptures of Truth are the 
external means of conveying and preserving to 
us an account of the things most surely believed 
concerning: the corning of our Lord Jesus Christ 
in the flesh, and the fulfilling of the prophecies 
relating thereto; we recommend to all Friends, 
especially heads of families, that they would, 
both by example and advice, impress on the 
minds of the youth a due esteem of those excel- 
lent writings, advise them to a frequent reading 
and meditating therein, and at seasons when 
qualified therefor, give them to understand, that 
the same good experience of the work of sanc- 
tification, through the operation of the Spirit of 
God, which the Scriptures plentifully bear testi- 
mony to, is to be witnessed by believers in all 
generations, as well as by those in the first ages 



116 HOLT SCRIPTURES. 

of Christianity; and on those occasions it may 
be useful to impart to them some account of 
your own experience. This, under the Divine 
blessing, may be a means of leading their minds 
into a firm belief of the Christian doctrine in 
general, and in particular, the necessity of the 
aid of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of men; 
which as they are concerned to feel after, and 
abide under its teachings, they may reap the 
benefit thereof to their own peace and everlast- 
ing happiness, which is infinitely preferable to 
all other considerations. — 1> 

We tenderly and earnestly advise and exhort 
all parents and heads of families, that they en- 
deavour to instruct their children and families 
in the doctrines and precepts of the Christian 
religion, as contained in the Holy Scriptures; 
and that they excite them to the diligent read- 
ing of those excellent writings, which plainly 
set forth the miraculous conception, birth, holy 
life, wonderful works, blessed example, merito- 
rious death, and glorious resurrection, ascension 
and mediation, of our Lord and Saviour Jesufl 
Christ; and to educate their children in the be- 
lief of those important truths, as well as in the 



HOLY SCRIPTURES. 117 

belief of the inward manifestation and operation 
of the Holy Spirit on their own minds. — 1732. 

We have always believed that the Holy Scrip- 
tures were written by Divine inspiration; that 
they are able to make wise unto salvation, 
through faith which is in Christ Jesus; for, as 
holy men of God spake as they were moved by 
the Holy Ghost, they are therefore profitable for 
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruc- 
tion in righteousness, that the man of God may 
be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good 
works. But as we freely acknowledge that their 
authority doth not depend upon the approbation 
of any church or assembly, so neither can we 
subject them to the fallen, corrupt reason of 
man. As a true understanding of the Divine 
will, and meaning of Holy Scripture, cannot be 
discerned by the natural, but only by the spiri- 
tual man, it is therefore by the assistance of the 
Holy Spirit that they are read with great in- 
struction and comfort. — 1828. 

We believe a blessing has often attended the 
frequent assembling of families, and reading a 
portion of the Scriptures of Truth, with minds 



118 HOLT SCRIPTURES. 

humbly turned to the Lord, to receive such in- 
struction as He may see meet to impart. Many, 
who are now far advanced in years, can recur 
to such opportunities in their childhood, as sea- 
sons of heart-tendering visitation, in which their 
understandings were Divinely enlightened, and 
desires raised after the saving knowledge of the 
Truth. 

The benefit we derive will depend very much 
on the state of mind in which we perform the 
duty. 

A cold, cavilling, or criticising spirit ; a dis- 
position to comprehend the truths of salvation 
by the unassisted intellectual powers, or by 
recourse to commentators, who often darken 
counsel by words without right knowledge ; 
will mar the benefit we might receive ; while a 
state of humble, childlike dependence on the 
teaching of the Holy Spirit, which gave the 
Scriptures forth, and only can rightly open and 
apply them, will receive the blessing, and know 
them to be made "profitable for doctrine, for 
reproof, for correction, for instruction in right- 
eousness, that the man of God may be perfect, 
thoroughly furnished unto all good works." — 
1863. " 



SLAVE TRADE AND SLAVERY. 119 



SLAVE TRADE AND SLAVERY. 

It appears to have been the concern of this 
meeting, revived from time to time with in- 
creasing weight, to testify their entire disunity 
with the practice of enslaving mankind, and 
particularly to guard all in membership with us 
against being, in any degree, concerned in the 
purchase of slaves from the coasts of Africa or 
other parts. Having with sorrow observed that 
in some parts of our country this shameful prac- 
tice is still continued and connived at, we there- 
fore think it proper to revive the advices here- 
tofore issued ; and again exhort our members, to 
be in no way accessory to this enormous national 
evil, but to discourage it by all the justifiable 
means in their power; it being- obvious, that 
wherever it prevails, it tends to corrupt the 
morals of the people, so as not only to render 
them obnoxious to the displeasure of the Al- 
mighty, but deaf to his warnings, and insensible 
and regardless of his impending judgments. — 
1755, 1806. 



120 SLAVE TRADE AND SLAVERY. 

We earnestly desire that our members gene- 
rally may use endeavours to promote the in- 
struction of the people of colour, as objects of 
the common salvation, in the principles of the 
Christian religion ; as well as in such branches 
of school learning as may fit them for freedom, 
and to become useful members of civil society. 
Also, that Friends in their several neighbour- 
hoods, advise and assist them in the education 
of their children, and common worldly concerns. 
—1778. 

Friends are cautioned against acting as execu- 
tors or administrators to estates where slaves 
are bequeathed; and doing anything whereby 
their bondage may be prolonged. — 1774. 



SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS. 121 



SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS. 

Many religiously attentive minds having 
been long painfully burdened with observing 
the corrupting, debasing and ruinous effects 
consequent on the importation and retailing of 
distilled spirits, whereby the intemperate use 
of them is greatly aided and encouraged, to the 
impoverishment of many, distempering the con- 
stitutions and understandings of many more, 
and increasing vice and dissoluteness in the 
land. It is the united sense of this meeting, that 
well concerned Friends in all quarters be earn- 
estly excited to suffer the affecting importance 
of this mighty evil, religiously to impress their 
minds, and animate them with lively concern 
to exert honest endeavours, by example and 
loving entreaty, to caution and dissuade all our 
members from being concerned in the importa- 
tion or retailing distilled spirits, or giving coun- 
tenance thereto, and from using them in the 
time of harvest or otherwise. And where it is 
11 



122 SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS. 

apprehended there may be occasion of using 
any as medicine, it is earnestly desired that re- 
ligious caution be observed therein. — 1808. 

Advised, that Friends carefully avoid all vain 
and idle company, sipping and tippling of drams 
and strong drink : for though such who are in 
that evil practice may not suddenly become 
drunken to the greatest degree, yet they often 
thereby become like ground fitted for the seeds of 
the greatest transgressions; and some who have 
had the good example of virtuous parents, have, 
from small beginnings, arrived at a shameful ex- 
cess, to their own ruin, the great injury of their 
w T ives and families, and the scandal of the reli- 
gious profession they have made. — 1706, 1737. 

Under the weight and pressure of the deeply 
interesting concern for the maintenance of our 
Christian testimony against the trading in, and 
use of distilled spirituous liquors, that a gradual 
and steady advancement thereof may in no re- 
spect be impeded, Quarterly and Monthly meet- 
ings are afresh urged to renewed, patient, per- 
severing labour with such as are in the practice 
of using, or giving them out as an article of 



SUFFERINGS. 123 

drink; manifesting, that if continued in by any 
of our members, it cannot admit of any coun- 
tenance while there is a faithful adherence to 
the Divine principle of good will to men. — 1796. 



SUFFERINGS. 

We entreat that all who suffer for demands 
inconsistent with the principles of Truth, may 
demonstrate by their whole conduct and conver- 
sation, that they really suffer for conscience 
sake ; and keep close to the guidance of that 
good Spirit which will preserve in meekness 
and quiet resignation under every trial. 

For if resentment should arise against those 

whom we may look upon as the instruments of 

our suffering, it will deprive us of the reward of 

faithfulness, give just occasion of offence, and 

bring; dishonour to the cause of Truth. Cavil- 
ed 

ling, or casting reflections upon any because of 
our sufferings, does not become the servants of 
Christ, whose holy example and footsteps we 
ought in all things faithfully to follow. — 1808. 



124 TAVERNS. 



TAVERNS. 

We think it necessary to caution not only the 
youth, but those of riper age, to avoid the unne- 
cessary attendance at taverns, and that they 
maintain a watchful religious guard respecting 
other places of public resort: that they be not 
exposed to noisy company and unprofitable con- 
versation ; or be betrayed into the use of strong 
liquors, by which so many have been corrupted 
both in principle and practice, to the ruin of 
themselves and their families. And if any are 
in danger on these accounts, it is desired that 
they may be timely and tenderly treated with, 
in order to convince them of their perilous situ- 
ation.— 1746, 1834 

And it is desired that Friends may endeavour, 
as far as their influence extends in the commu- 
nity, to prevent the unnecessary increase of 
taverns, and be cautious of signing petitions in 
behalf of those who may apply for licenses on 
that account. — 1738. 



TRADE. 125 



TRADE. 

It being evident, that where the manifesta- 
tions and restraints of the Spirit of Truth are 
clulv prized and regarded, it leads out of a bond- 
age to the spirit of this world, and preserves the 
minds of its followers from many fettering and 
disqualifying entanglements; and contrary wise, 
that an inordinate love and pursuit of worldly 
riches often betrays those who are captivated by 
them into many difficulties and dangers, to the 
great obstruction of the work of Truth in the 
heart ; we affectionately desire that the counsel 
and gracious promise of our blessed Redeemer 
to his followers may be borne in remembrance 
by us, — " Seek ye first the kingdom of God and 
his righteousness, and all these things shall be 
added unto you." 

This meeting being earnestly concerned that 

the service of our religious Society may not be 

obstructed, or its reputation dishonoured by any 

imprudence of its members in their worldly en- 
11* 



126 TRADE. 

gagements, recommends to all. that they be 
careful not to venture upon such business as 
they do not well understand, nor to launch out 
in trade beyond their abilities, and at the risk 
of others; especially on the credit which may 
be derived from a profession of the Truth ; but 
that they bound their engagements by their 
means; and when they enter into contracts, or 
give their words, that they endeavour on all 
occasions strictly to fulfil them. 

We particularly exhort, that none engage in 
such concerns as depend on the often deceptive 
probabilities of hazardous enterprises; but rather 
content themselves with such a plain and mode- 
rate way of living, as is consistent with the 
self-denying principle we make profession of; 
whereby many disappointments and grievous 
perplexities may be avoided, and that tranquil- 
lity of mind obtained, which is inseparable from 
the right enjoyment even of temporal things ; 
and it is advised that where any among us err, 
or are in danger of erring in these respects, they 
be faithfully and timely admonished. 

Our worthy ancestors having; their eve direct- 
ed towards an enduring inheritance, and theii 
affections placed upon things above, sought not 



TRADE. 121 

after greatness in this world, but passed the 
time of their sojourning here in fear and in great 
simplicity of heart, endeavouring thereby to 
reach the Divine Witness in every mind, and 
to promote the love of truth and righteousness 
amongst mankind. In minds thus bent upon 
seeking a more glorious inheritance than the 
accumulation of worldly possessions, a concern 
is maintained to hold forth an example of tem- 
perance, justice, and truth; but where a defec- 
tion from this simplicity of heart and heavenly 
mindedness hath prevailed, it hath led into the 
love and pursuit of this fading world, produced 
the fruits of pride and ambition, and occasioned 
many wants which our predecessors were pre- 
served from ; and to satisfy these wants, some 
have been excited to enter into a larger extension 
of trade and commerce, than they had stock and 
ability to conduct. Ambition and evil emula- 
tion leading into higher living and greater ex- 
penses than their income would admit, their 
circumstances thus becoming reduced, and being 
unwilling to lessen their appearance in the world, 
indirect means to procure a temporary support 
have been used, which has ended in failures 
and bankruptcies. A due subjection to the 



128 TRADE. 

cross of Christ would have timely prevented this 
reproach brought upon individuals, and trouble 
on their friends ; and it would also lead those 
under wasting and deficient circumstances, ra- 
ther to give up their effects in due time, than to 
go on enlarging their debts by disreputable arti- 
fices, until they are stopped by unavoidable 
necessity, and plunged at once into ruin, sorrow 
and disgrace; with the painful addition of 
bringing their iust creditors into grievous incon- 
veniences. and some into great danger of sinking 
with them in the wreck of their affair-. 

The love of the world is the cause of many 
deviations. In some it discovers itself in a de- 
sire to* be rich and great, whilst in others the 
worldly spirit is as clearly discerned, though the 
attenti n semis to be occupied in smaller con- 
cerns; and though we are clear that very exten- 
sive ones are often in themselves great evils, yet 
the trafficker in hundreds, unless the eye be 
kept single, may be as much buried in the earth 
as the trafficker in thousands. 

We are not about to condemn industry, which 
we believe to be not only praiseworthy, but in- 
dispensable. It is the inordinate desire of the 
mind after worldly things, and the engrossment 



TRADE. 129 

of the time and attention, from which we desire 
that all our dear Friends may be redeemed. 

It is recommended that Friends frequently 
inspect the state of their affairs, and keep their 
accounts so clear and accurate, that they may 
at any time easily know whether they live 
within the bounds of their circumstances, or 
not ; and in case of death, that these may not 
be perplexing to survivors. And whenever any 
find that they have no more property left than 
is sufficient to discharge their just debts, it is 
advised, that they immediately consult with 
some judicious Friends, and without loss of time 
make their circumstances known to their credi- 
tors, carefully avoiding the payment of one in 
preference to another, that so none may be in- 
jured, nor any reproach be incurred by misma- 
nagement. 

Advised, that when Friends accept the office 
of trustee or assignee, they be active in collect- 
ing the effects of the estate, and punctual and 
speedy in making distribution. 

Advised, that Friends everywhere carefully 
avoid being any way concerned in defrauding 
the government of its duties; that so our ancient 
testimony in this respect may be inviolably 
maintained. 



130 TRADE. 

We warn our members against a pernicious 
practice amongst the trading part of the com- 
munity, which has often issued in the ruin of 
those concerned therein, viz. : that of raising 
and circulating a kind of paper credit, with en- 
dorsements to give it an appearance of value, 
without an intrinsic reality, — a practice which, 
as it appears to be inconsistent with the Truth 
Ave profess, we declare our disapprobation of, 
and entreat every member of our Society to 
avoid and discourage it. We also caution all in 
membership with us, to avoid entering into joint 
securities with others, under the specious plea 
of rendering acts of kindness; many, by so do- 
ing, having been suddenly ruined, and their 
innocent wives and children reduced to deplora- 
ble circumstances. 

"Be not thou," said the wise man, "'one of 
them that strike hands, or of them that are 
sureties for debts. If thou hast nothing to pay, 
why should he take away thy bed from under 
thee?"— 1806. 

We affectionately desire, that Friends may 
humbly wait for Divine counsel in all their en- 
gagements, and duly attend to the secret intima- 



TRADE. 131 

tions and restrictions of the Spirit of Truth in 
their business and trading, not suffering their 
minds to be hurried away by an inordinate de- 
sire of worldly riches; remembering the obser- 
vation of the apostle in his day, and so often 
sorrowfully verified in ours, that "They who 
will be rich, fall into temptation and a snare ;" 
and erring from the faith, " pierce themselves 
through with many sorrows." Even when riches, 
to any extraordinary degree, have been amassed 
by the successful industry of parents, how often 
have they proved like wings to their children, 
carrying them beyond the limitations of Truth, 
into liberties repugnant to our religious testimo- 
nies, and sometimes into enterprises which have 
terminated in irreparable damage to their tem- 
poral affairs, if not an entire forgetfulness of the 
great work of the soul's salvation. — 1806. 

We feel tenderly solicitous on behalf of our 
beloved Friends who are engaged in trade or 
business, and who, in pursuing the means of 
gaining an honest livelihood, are subjected to 
many difficulties. We believe the present is a 
day of peculiar temptation to such. Circum- 
stances of latter time have combined to produce 



132 TRADE. 

a state of extraordinary excitement among the 
trading community, and an active and eager 
competition, which is not scrupulous as to the 
means employed to invite and secure custom. 
Pressed by the manoeuvres of this selfish and 
grasping spirit, and beholding the apparent suc- 
cess which for a while is sometimes permitted to 
attend it, we fear lest any under our name 
should yield to the temptation to resort to any 
artifices or plans, to enlarge their business or to 
increase their profits, which are inconsistent 
with the law of universal righteousness, and 
thus destroy their peace of mind. Strict justice 
and honesty in all his dealings, and a conscien- 
tious observance of the great precept of our 
Holy Redeemer, "Whatsoever ye would that 
men should do to you, do ye also even so unto 
them/' are the indispensable duty of the Chris- 
tian ; and the greatest pecuniary gain would be 
no compensation for the guilt and the sore dis- 
tress which, sooner or later, must result from its 
violation. 

The standard which the world adopts, and 
even defends, in its pursuit of trade and its de- 
sire to gather riches, is not a safe one for the 
disciple of Christ. "Men will praise thee when 



TRADE. 133 

thou doost well for thyself;" and we sorrowfully 
see that this praise is often bestowed with but 
little regard to the means employed to acquire 
wealth. But we are taught by the Saviour him- 
self, that "that which is highly esteemed among 
men is an abomination in the sight of God," and 
we fear that it is true as respects some of the 
modes of conducting business, and many of the 
schemes for procuring money, which are resorted 
to in the present day. Earnestly do we desire 
that all our dear Friends may be scrupulously 
on their guard, not to suffer their nice sense of 
Christian integrity to be blunted or benumbed 
by the examples which pass unreproved in the 
community, but steadily adhere to that strict 
uprightness, in all their transactions and con- 
verse, which becomes the disciple of Christ, and 
w r hich so remarkably distinguished our worthy 
predecessors. How exact were they in the ful- 
filment of their words and obligations ! how 
careful to avoid all evasive and insincere deal- 
ings ! and how conscientious not to engage in 
anything of a doubtful or objectionable charac- 
ter! Their strictness in these respects gained 
for them and for our religious Society a high 
reputation, and the Lord blessed their honest 

12 



134 TRADE. 

endeavours so that they prospered in the world. 
May their noble example influence us of the 
present day to follow in their footsteps, that so 
our conduct may bring no shade over the bright- 
ness of our Christian profession, but that walk- 
ins; and acting in the holy light of the Lord 
Jesus, we may by our example, commend our 
principles to those who behold us, and experi- 
ence in ourselves the truth of the Scripture 
declaration, "The path of the just man is as a 
shining light, that shineth more and more unto 
the perfect day." — 1853. 

We believe the desire after large business is 
one of the besetting temptations of the present 
day, and we would affectionately entreat our 
members to beware of being caught with it. 
"Seekest thou great things for thyself? seek 
them not," is a language of Holy Scripture ap- 
plicable, we believe, at this day, to every one 
who desires to be a partaker of the joys of the 
righteous. The happiness of man's life consist- 
eth not in the abundance of the things which 
he possesseth, but in the love of God shed abroad 
in the heart, and daily communion with Him. 
Trade, or business, or speculations in property, 



TRADE. 135 

which hold out prospects of a rapid accumula- 
tion of riches, often destroy the tranquillity of 
the mind, and lead to perplexities which not 
only lessen the desire, but disqualify for a pa- 
tient, humble dependence upon Him, who is the 
Author of all our mercies, and whose blessing 
alone maketh truly rich. May none of our 
members involve themselves in worldly concerns 
of such magnitude, or of so absorbing a charac- 
ter, as to disqualify them for acting the part of 
faithful stewards to God, in the right use of 
their time, their talents, and the temporal sub- 
stance intrusted to their care; or prevent them 
from being concerned, in all things to pass the 
time of their sojourning on earth in fear, and 
by daily watchfulness unto prayer, to have their 
lamps trimmed, and oil in their vessels, that 
when the solemn close of life shall come, they 
may be prepared, through the mercy of God in 
Christ Jesus, to enter into the joy of their Lord. 
—1853. 

It is the judgment of this meeting, that nei- 
ther Monthly nor other meetings should receive 
subscriptions, donations, or bequests, from per- 
sons [who have failed], until they have paid off 



136 WAR. 

their deficiencies, or are voluntarily acquitted 
thereof by their creditors ; for it should be re- 
membered that though, in such cases, the de- 
faulter may have been legally discharged, the 
property he may afterwards acquire is not pro- 
perly his own, till he has fairly paid off his 
former debts, to the satisfaction of the creditors. 
— 17S2. 



WAR. 

Friends are exhorted faithfully to adhere to 
our ancient testimony against wars and fight- 
ings, and in no way to unite with any in warlike 
measures, either offensive or defensive, that by 
the inoffensiveness of our conduct we may con- 
vincingly demonstrate ourselves to be real sub- 
jects of the Messiah's peaceful reign, and be 
instrumental in the promotion thereof towards 
its designed completion; when, according to 
ancient prophecy, the earth shall be full of the 
knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the 
sea; and its inhabitants learn war no more. 



WAR. 137 

We desire that all our members may beware 
of being induced either inadvertently or for 
gain, in any manner to give countenance to the 
destroying practice of war. 

Many are the ways by which the unwary and 
the covetous may be caught. But, brethren, 
look beyond the surface. Behold the depth of 
misery into which war plunges mankind. Then 
jDutting your trust in Him who gives under- 
standing to the simple, and provides for the 
sparrows, ye may avoid the pollution which is 
theirs who join hands with this desolating evil. 
Let all be careful not to seek or accept profit by 
any concern in preparations for war; for how 
reproachfully inconsistent would it be, to refuse 
an active compliance with warlike measures, 
and at the same time not hesitate to enrich our- 
selves by the commerce and other circumstances 
dependent on war. 

This meeting fervently recommends to the 
deep attention of all our members, that they be 
religiously guarded against approving or showing 
the least connivance at war, either by attending 
at or viewing military operations, or in anywise 
encouraging the unstable, deceitful spirit of 
party, by joining with political devices or asso* 

12* 



138 WAR. 

ciations. however speciously disguised under the 
ensnaring subtleties commonly attendant there- 
on; but that they sincerely labour to experience 
a settlement on the alone sure foundation of the 
pure unchangeable truth, whereby, through the 
prevalence of unfeigned Christian love and good 
will to men, we may convincingly demonstrate 
that the kingdom we seek is not of this world — 
a kingdom and government whose subjects are 
free indeed, redeemed from those captivating 
lusts from whence come wars and fightings. 

As we are called out of wars and fightings, so 
let them be as seldom as possible the subjects of 
our conversation; but let an holy care rest upon 
us, to abide in that Power which gives dominion 
over the hopes and fears that arise from the 
concerns of an unstable world, which tend, as 
they are admitted into the mind, to lessen the 
trust in that Rock which is immoveable. — 
1808. 

When goods have been distrained from nny 
Friends, on account of their refusal to pay fines 
for non-performance of military services, and 
the officers, after deducting the fines and costs, 
propose to return the remainder, it is the sense 



WAR. 



139 



of this meeting, that Friends should maintain 
their testimony by suffering, and not. accept such 
overplus, unless the same or a part of it is re- 
turned without a change of the species. — 1755. 

A living concern for the advancement of our 
testimony to the peaceable kingdom of Christ, 
continuing to spread in many minds, we fer- 
vently desire that the members of our religious 
Society may carefully avoid engaging in any 
trade or business promotive of war; sharing or 
partaking of the spoils of war by purchasing or 
selling prize goods; importing or shipping goods 
in armed vessels ; paying taxes for the express 
purpose of war; grinding of grain, feeding of 
cattle, or selling their property for the use of the 
army : that through a close attention to the mo- 
nitions of Divine grace, and guarding against 
the suppression of it either in themselves or 
others, they may be preserved in a conduct con- 
sistent with our holy profession, from wounding 
the minds or increasing the sufferings of each 
other ; not at all doubting, that He to whom 
appertains the kingdom and the power, who is 
w r onderful in working, will continue to carry on 
and perfect his blessed cause of peace in the 



140 WAR. 

earth. A solid attention to this concern is re- 
commended to Quarterly, Monthly, and Prepa- 
rative meetings, and to our brethren in general; 
it being the judgment of this meeting, that if 
any of our members do either openly or by con- 
nivance, pay any fine, penalty or tax, in lieu of 
personal service for carrying on war; or allow 
their children, apprentices or servants to act 
therein ; or are concerned in arming or equip- 
ping vessels with guns, or in dealing in public 
certificates, issued as a compensation for ex- 
penses accrued, or services performed in war; 
that they be tenderly dealt with. — 1730 ; 1781. 



WILLS. 141 



WILLS. 

Knowing how quickly many are removed by 
death, it is advised that Friends who have es- 
tates to dispose of, would make their wills in 
time of health and strength of judgment, and 
therein to direct their substance as in justice 
and wisdom may be to their satisfaction and 
peace; laying aside all resentment, though occa- 
sion may have been given, lest it should go with 
them to the grave, remembering we all stand in 
need of mercy and forgiveness. Making such 
wills in due time can shorten no one's days, but 
the omission or delay thereof to a time of sick- 
ness, when the mind should not be diverted from 
a solemn consideration of the approaching awful 
period of life, has often proved very injurious to 
many, and been the occasion of creating ani- 
mosities in families, which the seasonable and 
just performance of this necessary duty might 
have effectually prevented. 



142 WILLS, 

And all Friends who may become executors 
or administrators, are advised to make a full, 
clear and perfect inventory of the estate and 
effects of the deceased, early after the interment, 
as many difficulties and disputes have arisen, 
and sometimes injustice been done for want of 
it, or by deferring it too long. — 1808. 

Friends are earnestly recommended to employ 
persons skilful in the law, and of good repute, 
to make their wills, as great inconvenience and 
loss, and sometimes the ruin of families have 
happened through the unskilfulness of some, 
who have taken upon them to write wills, being 
unqualified to act in a matter of such import- 
ance.— 1782, 1801. 



CONCLUSION. 143 



CONCLUSION. 

Haying thus endeavoured, in the feeling of 
gospel love for our brethren and sisters, to bring 
into view different subjects which we believe are 
connected with their welfare and growth in the 
Truth, and being sensible that many deficiencies 
and weaknesses exist among us, we desire that 
each one may humble himself before the Lord, 
and seek for ability to lay aside those things 
which the testimony of Truth is manifestly 
against, and to come up in greater dedication to 
the Lord's will and service. His mercies are 
new every morning, and with Him there is plen- 
teous redemption that he may be feared. If 
those who have been unfaithful to him turn at 
his reproofs, he will pass by their transgressions 
and love them freely; and by the humbling bap- 
tisms of his Holy Spirit, fit them for the work 
he appoints for his obedient children in his 
Church. Notwithstanding the degeneracy that 
has overtaken many, we believe there is a re- 



144 CONCLUSION. 

newed call extended to us to leave the things 
that are behind, and to lay hold of the offers of 
his mercy and holy help, and he will qualify us 
to build up the waste places, to declare of his 
goodness and long forbearance, and to draw the 
children by precept and example to take the 
yoke of Christ upon them, and follow him. 
Hereby they will know the work of their salva- 
tion to be carried on with the day, and w r e may 
hope that the Society will again be raised up 
into the brightness and dignity in which it was 
originally gathered. 

"Now the God of peace that brought again 
from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shep- 
herd of the sheep, through the blood of the 
everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every 
good work to do his will, working in you that 
which is well pleasing in his sight, through 
Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and 
ever, Amen." 



THE END. 



L 



DeackJffied using the Bookkeeper prooat 

zing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: April 2006 

PreservationTechnologies 

A W0R10 LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVE ?S 
~>xxnson Parte Dove 
CfcMtanj t ca-.s~t W MOM 
(724)779-2111 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



00175254195 f 



K$gJftR» 



'-*'■'> -'-'': - '" v ' 



Mi 






M 



^iEfflE 



M 



sk^es 



mf 






